Aerospace Engineer Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Aerospace Engineers in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$126,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.64
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $134,960
State Rank
#29 of 41
290 employed here

How much does an Aerospace Engineer make in Kentucky?

An Aerospace Engineer working in Kentucky earns a median salary of $126,130 per year, or about $60.64 per hour. That is 7% below the national median of $134,960 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $100,440 while the top 10% make $172,340 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $105,000 and $166,300 a year.

Aerospace Engineer salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$100,440$48.29
25th percentile (early career)$105,000$50.48
50th percentile (median)$126,130$60.64
75th percentile (experienced)$166,300$79.95
90th percentile (top earners)$172,340$82.86

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 29th out of 41 states and territories for Aerospace Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Minnesota$159,060
2Washington$158,370
3California$157,620
4District of Columbia$157,600
5Maryland$156,750

Working as an Aerospace Engineer in Kentucky

Nationally, about 68,000 people work as Aerospace Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($126,130) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Aerospace Engineer make in Kentucky?
The median Aerospace Engineer salary in Kentucky is $126,130 per year, or about $60.64 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $100,440 at the entry level to $172,340 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Aerospace Engineers about 7% less than the national median of $134,960. Kentucky ranks 29th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Aerospace Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $126,130 a year. About 290 Aerospace Engineers are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Aerospace Engineer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.