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152 Jobs That Pay Over $75K in Kentucky (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed: 2026-05-19

There are 152 occupations in Kentucky with a median salary above $75K per year. The highest-paying is Cardiologists at $558,180/year. Based on 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025

$50K+ $75K+ $100K+ $150K+

Average Salary by State

Average salaries across all 50 states. Click a state to see its $75K+ jobs.

$57,873

$89,679

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS 2025 Annual

AL $63,963 AK $79,599 AZ $72,019 AR $58,447 CA $83,172 CO $76,493 CT $78,019 DE $71,614 DC $89,679 FL $67,772 GA $69,372 HI $73,976 ID $67,243 IL $74,900 IN $68,360 IA $68,184 KS $65,075 KY $66,085 LA $62,928 ME $70,351 MD $79,476 MA $81,221 MI $70,102 MN $79,901 MS $57,873 MO $67,599 MT $65,918 NE $68,499 NV $69,352 NH $75,725 NJ $80,366 NM $68,121 NY $83,189 NC $67,685 ND $70,391 OH $69,737 OK $63,871 OR $75,924 PA $70,617 RI $78,209 SC $66,430 SD $64,417 TN $66,638 TX $68,700 UT $68,195 VT $74,078 VA $73,984 WA $86,472 WV $62,235 WI $71,762 WY $66,073

152
Jobs Over $75K

$558,180

#1: Cardiologists

$117,788

Avg of Qualifying Jobs

318,770

Workers in These Jobs

All 152 Jobs Paying Over $75K in Kentucky

Ranked by median annual salary. Click any job to see the full salary breakdown.

#	Occupation	Median Salary	Mean Salary	Workers
1	Cardiologists	$558,180	$522,350	N/A
2	Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers	$350,950	$302,340	6,260
3	Anesthesiologists	$347,960	$310,560	1,090
4	Neurologists	$338,850	$301,190	230
5	Physicians, Pathologists	$324,390	$302,180	N/A
6	Obstetricians and Gynecologists	$317,110	$268,360	240
7	Radiologists	$279,990	$338,210	N/A
8	Family Medicine Physicians	$248,730	$254,740	1,170
9	General Internal Medicine Physicians	$241,530	$250,140	1,060
10	Psychiatrists	$237,770	$221,190	160
11	Nurse Anesthetists	$222,520	$229,690	1,640
12	Podiatrists	$201,260	$200,500	80
13	Dermatologists	$195,830	$249,200	N/A
14	Physicists	$180,910	$179,250	50
15	Chief Executives	$179,530	$238,100	2,070
16	Pediatricians, General	$175,690	$188,030	380
17	Emergency Medicine Physicians	$169,390	$214,570	620
18	Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates	$150,650	$140,470	370
19	Architectural and Engineering Managers	$147,680	$151,880	1,800
20	Law Teachers, Postsecondary	$140,820	$135,680	120
21	Computer and Information Systems Managers	$140,360	$150,620	3,130
22	Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$139,110	$133,580	70
23	Sociologists	$136,870	$121,880	30
24	Pharmacists	$136,530	$136,480	5,030
25	Dentists, General	$134,160	$157,630	790
26	Financial Managers	$130,650	$145,780	6,630
27	Commercial Pilots	$129,990	$168,100	800
28	Marketing Managers	$128,930	$138,310	1,930
29	Optometrists	$128,860	$142,710	430
30	Sales Managers	$128,650	$147,860	6,650
31	Air Traffic Controllers	$127,800	$121,910	230
32	Natural Sciences Managers	$126,440	$132,550	400
33	Aerospace Engineers	$126,130	$133,200	290
34	Database Architects	$125,400	$124,130	350
35	Fundraising Managers	$124,770	$134,640	210
36	Purchasing Managers	$124,350	$127,000	920
37	Airfield Operations Specialists	$123,290	$108,820	290
38	Nurse Practitioners	$122,870	$125,010	4,770
39	Human Resources Managers	$121,460	$130,260	1,960
40	Physician Assistants	$120,760	$119,990	1,360
41	Ship Engineers	$120,550	$114,730	N/A
42	Actuaries	$120,400	$129,150	70
43	Chemical Engineers	$117,170	$122,160	190
44	Computer Hardware Engineers	$116,200	$109,310	500
45	Education Administrators, Postsecondary	$114,310	$145,310	890
46	Compensation and Benefits Managers	$114,290	$137,860	110
47	Training and Development Managers	$112,750	$119,460	460
48	Statisticians	$112,520	$113,540	80
49	Public Relations Managers	$112,320	$123,770	510
50	Industrial Production Managers	$112,250	$124,010	6,430
51	Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary	$110,810	$124,800	340
52	Software Developers	$109,010	$120,730	7,660
53	Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors	$107,760	$114,380	300
54	Environmental Engineers	$107,520	$113,090	350
55	Advertising and Promotions Managers	$107,030	$111,950	230
56	Economics Teachers, Postsecondary	$106,250	$130,850	120
57	Power Distributors and Dispatchers	$105,600	$105,940	140
58	Gambling Managers	$105,340	$107,860	30
59	Veterinarians	$104,100	$112,730	1,190
60	Computer Network Architects	$103,740	$110,120	1,710
61	Information Security Analysts	$103,630	$108,310	1,680
62	Medical and Health Services Managers	$103,450	$123,590	8,600
63	Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers	$103,300	$106,230	230
64	Atmospheric and Space Scientists	$103,240	$106,230	100
65	Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary	$102,140	$108,810	60
66	Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric	$101,940	$181,520	70
67	Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	$101,860	$105,520	860
68	Lawyers	$101,550	$120,730	5,770
69	Mechanical Engineers	$101,050	$103,320	4,170
70	Civil Engineers	$100,930	$105,310	2,690
71	Facilities Managers	$100,720	$109,780	1,070
72	Physical Therapists	$100,710	$99,190	3,390
73	Materials Engineers	$100,620	$106,970	280
74	Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	$100,340	$109,950	2,340
75	Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary	$99,920	$100,190	4,940
76	Genetic Counselors	$99,770	$98,700	50
77	Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	$99,140	$109,760	710
78	Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	$98,860	$96,860	130
79	Food Scientists and Technologists	$98,710	$96,080	170
80	Postmasters and Mail Superintendents	$98,570	$99,750	240
81	Electrical Engineers	$98,550	$99,530	1,540
82	Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage	$97,950	$94,960	N/A
83	Radiation Therapists	$97,760	$105,000	170
84	Architects, Except Landscape and Naval	$97,680	$97,670	630
85	Occupational Therapists	$97,650	$95,450	2,190
86	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products	$97,640	$113,930	4,170
87	Chemical Plant and System Operators	$97,550	$99,730	40
88	Construction Managers	$97,020	$111,410	2,990
89	Industrial Engineers	$96,820	$99,120	6,070
90	Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	$95,830	$101,880	40
91	Management Analysts	$95,630	$97,790	4,550
92	Nuclear Medicine Technologists	$95,470	$93,430	270
93	Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers	$95,360	$98,310	80
94	Computer Systems Analysts	$95,090	$102,610	5,930
95	Computer Programmers	$94,850	$101,200	950
96	Power Plant Operators	$93,400	$93,970	690
97	Audiologists	$92,520	$94,660	90
98	Data Scientists	$91,760	$100,840	1,540
99	Diagnostic Medical Sonographers	$91,230	$88,940	940
100	Sales Engineers	$90,190	$98,510	380
101	Database Administrators	$87,390	$92,080	650
102	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$87,020	$96,690	2,800
103	Geography Teachers, Postsecondary	$86,790	$89,550	50
104	Acupuncturists	$85,130	$87,560	60
105	Surgical Assistants	$84,600	$89,380	480
106	Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	$84,100	$98,180	200
107	Chemists	$84,090	$86,740	530
108	Transportation Inspectors	$83,970	$85,350	260
109	Operations Research Analysts	$83,850	$89,930	660
110	Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	$83,730	$87,530	2,480
111	Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	$83,680	$113,720	1,380
112	Speech-Language Pathologists	$83,550	$89,180	2,610
113	Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$83,470	$93,320	310
114	Web Developers	$82,630	$87,160	270
115	Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary	$82,550	$96,830	250
116	Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists	$82,200	$84,520	650
117	Chiropractors	$81,740	$85,450	470
118	Project Management Specialists	$81,700	$89,470	10,250
119	Financial and Investment Analysts	$81,660	$90,010	2,460
120	Technical Writers	$81,070	$83,190	340
121	Registered Nurses	$81,040	$86,140	50,300
122	First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	$80,390	$88,030	1,600
123	Physics Teachers, Postsecondary	$80,270	$92,240	160
124	Business Teachers, Postsecondary	$80,140	$96,250	760
125	Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling	$80,130	$83,110	300
126	Insurance Underwriters	$79,830	$87,430	900
127	General and Operations Managers	$79,370	$99,990	52,100
128	Credit Analysts	$79,290	$87,210	370
129	Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	$79,100	$84,590	890
130	Electrical and Electronics Drafters	$79,050	$74,790	80
131	Dental Hygienists	$78,830	$78,950	2,070
132	Epidemiologists	$78,810	$78,110	120
133	Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers	$78,670	$82,740	520
134	Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$78,670	$94,560	140
135	Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$77,990	$76,300	520
136	Locomotive Engineers	$77,620	$83,310	540
137	Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists	$77,580	$95,680	670
138	Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers	$77,510	$79,810	170
139	Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	$77,020	$75,710	2,930
140	Web and Digital Interface Designers	$77,000	$83,370	590
141	Social and Community Service Managers	$76,960	$79,460	2,280
142	Budget Analysts	$76,860	$81,510	630
143	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	$76,760	$81,350	10,020
144	Maintenance Workers, Machinery	$76,710	$96,450	2,920
145	Financial Examiners	$76,260	$87,750	640
146	Art Directors	$76,160	$80,360	320
147	Commercial and Industrial Designers	$76,100	$76,080	420
148	Signal and Track Switch Repairers	$75,870	$67,440	60
149	Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders	$75,620	$70,450	240
150	School Psychologists	$75,370	$80,220	590
151	Accountants and Auditors	$75,270	$80,790	11,930
152	Hearing Aid Specialists	$75,200	$67,580	100

Kentucky High-Salary Insights

The $75K+ jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in Healthcare Practitioners, Transportation, and Life & Physical Science fields.

23.4% of all tracked occupations in KY earn a median salary above $75K. The entry point for this group is $75,200/year (Hearing Aid Specialists), while the top earner makes $558,180/year.

Kentucky ranks #42 among all 50 states for the number of $75K+ jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many jobs pay over $75K a year in Kentucky?

According to 2025 BLS data, there are 152 occupations in Kentucky with a median annual salary above $75K. This represents 23.4% of all tracked occupations in KY.

What is the highest paying job in Kentucky?

The highest paying occupation in Kentucky is Cardiologists with a median salary of $558,180 per year based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.

What is the minimum salary to be on the $75K+ list in Kentucky?

The entry point for the $75K+ list in Kentucky is $75,200/year (Hearing Aid Specialists). Any occupation with a median salary above $75K qualifies for this list.

What is the average salary of $75K+ jobs in Kentucky?

The average median salary among all 152 occupations that pay over $75K in Kentucky is $117,788 per year (2025 data).

How can I get a job that pays over $75K in Kentucky?

High-paying jobs in Kentucky typically require specialized education, certifications, or significant experience. Common fields include healthcare, technology, management, and engineering. Investing in relevant skills through certifications and advanced degrees can help you reach the $75K+ salary range. Check individual job pages for specific requirements.

Aiming for a $75K+ Career in Kentucky?

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Jobs Over $75K in Other States

These are gross salaries. After federal, state, and FICA taxes, take-home pay is lower.

More Salary Data for Kentucky

All Kentucky Jobs

Data Source & Methodology

This list includes all occupations with BLS-published state-level median salary data above $75K per year. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. See our Methodology page for details.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics