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Highway Maintenance Workers Salary in Kentucky: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Highway Maintenance Workers salary really buy you in Kentucky?

Kentucky is 10.6% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$36,900
Median annual (2024)
+11.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$41,275
COL-adjusted (RPP=89.4)

Kentucky Cost of Living Index

Kentucky's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 89.4, meaning prices are 10.6% lower the national average. A Highway Maintenance Workers earning $36,900 in Kentucky has the equivalent purchasing power of $41,275 in an average-cost US state.

KY: 89.4
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Kentucky's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $29,700 $33,221 +$3,521
25th Percentile (P25) $33,070 $36,991 +$3,921
Median (P50) $36,900 $41,275 +$4,375
75th Percentile (P75) $42,170 $47,170 +$5,000
90th Percentile (P90) $48,110 $53,814 +$5,704
Key Insight

A Highway Maintenance Workers in Kentucky earns $36,900 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 12% further — like earning $41,275 in an average-cost state. This makes Kentucky one of the best value states for this occupation.

Best States for Highway Maintenance Workers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Highway Maintenance Workers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$68,579
RPP 88.7
2. Montana
$67,253
RPP 90.3
3. Iowa
$64,253
RPP 88.4
$62,333
RPP 97.7
5. Alaska
$60,696
RPP 102.0
$59,934
RPP 106.4
$59,349
RPP 92.3
8. Oregon
$59,090
RPP 106.6
$57,759
RPP 109.8
10. Illinois
$57,384
RPP 101.3

Kentucky ranks #43 out of 49 states for Highway Maintenance Workers after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Highway Maintenance Workers in Kentucky after cost of living?

A Highway Maintenance Workers in Kentucky earns a median salary of $36,900 per year. After adjusting for Kentucky's cost of living (RPP=89.4), the real purchasing power is $41,275 — a +11.9% difference.

Is Kentucky expensive to live in?

Kentucky's cost of living is 10.6% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Kentucky is 89.4 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Highway Maintenance Workers in Kentucky: $36,900 x (100 / 89.4) = $41,275. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Highway Maintenance Workers in Kentucky financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Highway Maintenance Workers in Kentucky enjoys 11.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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