Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Athletes and Sports Competitors in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$63,020
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.30
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $66,710
State Rank
#10 of 18
state estimate

How much do Athletes and Sports Competitors make in Kentucky?

Athletes and Sports Competitors in Kentucky take home a median of $63,020 annually — roughly $30.30 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $66,710.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $39,290 while the top 10% make $137,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,960 and $80,630 a year.

Athletes and Sports Competitors salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,290$18.89
25th percentile (early career)$46,960$22.58
50th percentile (median)$63,020$30.30
75th percentile (experienced)$80,630$38.76
90th percentile (top earners)$137,370$66.04

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 10th out of 18 states and territories for Athletes and Sports Competitors pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Jersey$253,870
2Missouri$172,700
3Utah$122,800
4Nevada$119,780
5Texas$80,510

Working as Athletes and Sports Competitors in Kentucky

Nationally, about 15,000 people work as Athletes and Sports Competitors in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($63,020) 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 do Athletes and Sports Competitors make in Kentucky?
The median Athletes and Sports Competitors salary in Kentucky is $63,020 per year, or about $30.30 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,290 at the entry level to $137,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Athletes and Sports Competitors about 6% less than the national median of $66,710. Kentucky ranks 10th out of 18 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Athletes and Sports Competitors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $63,020 a year. 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 Athletes and Sports Competitors 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.