Computer Programmer Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$94,850
per year
Hourly Rate
$45.60
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $100,390
State Rank
#23 of 46
950 employed here

How much does a Computer Programmer make in Kentucky?

Computer Programmers in Kentucky take home a median of $94,850 annually — roughly $45.60 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $100,390.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $61,990 while the top 10% make $140,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,310 and $125,380 a year.

Computer Programmer salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$61,990$29.80
25th percentile (early career)$80,310$38.61
50th percentile (median)$94,850$45.60
75th percentile (experienced)$125,380$60.28
90th percentile (top earners)$140,460$67.53

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 23rd out of 46 states and territories for Computer Programmer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Connecticut$133,820
2Massachusetts$128,390
3Washington$125,620
4Maryland$125,570
5Virginia$121,610

Working as a Computer Programmer in Kentucky

Nationally, about 92,000 people work as Computer Programmers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($94,850) 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 a Computer Programmer make in Kentucky?
The median Computer Programmer salary in Kentucky is $94,850 per year, or about $45.60 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $61,990 at the entry level to $140,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Computer Programmers about 6% less than the national median of $100,390. Kentucky ranks 23rd out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Computer Programmers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $94,850 a year. About 950 Computer Programmers 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 Computer Programmer 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.