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Purchasing Managers Salary in Kentucky: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Purchasing Managers salary really buy you in Kentucky?

Kentucky is 10.6% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$124,350
Median annual (2025)
+11.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$139,093
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 Purchasing Managers earning $124,350 in Kentucky has the equivalent purchasing power of $139,093 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) $76,770 $85,872 +$9,102
25th Percentile (P25) $96,470 $107,908 +$11,438
Median (P50) $124,350 $139,093 +$14,743
75th Percentile (P75) $144,720 $161,879 +$17,159
90th Percentile (P90) $174,690 $195,402 +$20,712
Key Insight

A Purchasing Managers in Kentucky earns $124,350 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 12% further — like earning $139,093 in an average-cost state. This makes Kentucky one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Kentucky Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 89.4

Kentucky's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 89.4 means a basket of goods and services costs about 10.6% less than the national average. For a Purchasing Managers, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+11.9%

Adjusting $124,350 for Kentucky's cost of living yields $139,094 — a 11.9% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#30 / 50

Kentucky's rank of #30 of 50 states means real purchasing power for Purchasing Managers trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Purchasing Managers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Purchasing Managers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$180,658
RPP 86.6
2. Kansas
$177,611
RPP 90.0
$167,399
RPP 102.3
$165,044
RPP 89.2
$162,810
RPP 102.1
6. Georgia
$162,171
RPP 95.8
$160,404
RPP 108.8
$156,078
RPP 109.4
$154,553
RPP 107.6
10. Maryland
$153,780
RPP 105.0

Kentucky ranks #30 out of 50 states for Purchasing Managers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Purchasing Managers take-home pay in Kentucky after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Purchasing Managers in Kentucky after cost of living?

A Purchasing Managers in Kentucky earns a median salary of $124,350 per year. After adjusting for Kentucky's cost of living (RPP=89.4), the real purchasing power is $139,093 — 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 Purchasing Managers in Kentucky: $124,350 x (100 / 89.4) = $139,093. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Purchasing Managers in Kentucky financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Purchasing Managers 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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