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Kentucky — sector wage premiums across 22 occupational sectors

Which sectors in Kentucky pay above the national average?

As of May 2025 BLS OEWS data, Kentucky pays +4.3% above the national average for Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations (state median: $39,330 vs national approx. $37,695). Across 22 sectors, Kentucky's highest-premium sector is Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations. Re-dated annually from BLS OEWS.

Source:U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — Major Group Rollups·As of May 2025 state estimates (major-group rollup) · updated annually (BLS OEWS) · last refreshed

Gera US Sector Pay Premium Index

Kentucky's top sector premium: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations at GUPPI +4.3% (national avg: $37,695).

How this is calculated
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations +4.3%

Kentucky — GUPPI across all occupational sectors (BLS OEWS May 2025)

#SectorState medianNational avgGUPPI
1Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations$39,330$37,695+4.3%
2Healthcare Support Occupations$38,680$37,607+2.9%
3Production Occupations$47,760$46,816+2.0%
4Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$44,450$43,676+1.8%
5Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$57,580$59,120−2.6%
6Community and Social Service Occupations$54,500$57,575−5.3%
7Office and Administrative Support Occupations$43,580$47,910−9.0%
8Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$34,940$38,525−9.3%
9Sales and Related Occupations$34,590$39,171−11.7%
10Construction and Extraction Occupations$53,150$60,202−11.7%
11Personal Care and Service Occupations$31,200$35,534−12.2%
12Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$78,530$90,805−13.5%
13Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$52,700$61,160−13.8%
14Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$28,620$33,497−14.6%
15Architecture and Engineering Occupations$84,700$100,184−15.5%
16Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$72,140$85,407−15.5%
17Business and Financial Operations Occupations$71,410$85,690−16.7%
18Protective Service Occupations$42,310$51,939−18.5%
19Management Occupations$99,250$126,800−21.7%
20Computer and Mathematical Occupations$84,590$113,425−25.4%
21Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$48,110$64,550−25.5%
22Legal Occupations$78,470$106,531−26.3%

Benchmark your salary against the sector median in Kentucky

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Sector GUPPI for Kentucky: +4.3%State median: $39,330 · National avg: $37,695

Frequently asked questions

Which sector pays the most premium in Kentucky?
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations has the highest sector GUPPI in Kentucky: +4.3% (BLS OEWS May 2025 median $39,330/yr vs national $37,695/yr).
Which sector pays below average in Kentucky?
Legal Occupations has the lowest sector GUPPI in Kentucky: −26.3% (BLS OEWS May 2025 median $78,470/yr vs national $106,531/yr).
How does Kentucky compare to other states for sector pay?
Kentucky (KY) has 4 sectors paying above the national employment-weighted average and 18 sectors below. Use the Gera Sector Pay Premium Index to browse all 22 sectors for any state.

Find jobs in Kentucky with salary ranges

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Data source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — Major Group Rollups · May 2025 state estimates (major-group rollup) · Public domain (U.S. federal government work)

GUPPI computed by GeraJobs. Last updated: 2026-06-20. Full methodology · ← All sectors

GeraJobs is a job-search and recruitment platform that connects candidates with independent employers and recruiters. Gera is not the employer, recruiter, or hiring agent of record and is not party to any employment relationship — hiring decisions, job offers, and employment terms are solely between candidates and employers.