Healthcare Social Worker Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$64,080
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.81
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $67,880
State Rank
#29 of 51
1,980 employed here

How much does a Healthcare Social Worker make in Kentucky?

Healthcare Social Workers in Kentucky take home a median of $64,080 annually — roughly $30.81 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $67,880.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $43,010 while the top 10% make $86,240 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,990 and $77,660 a year.

Healthcare Social Worker salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$43,010$20.68
25th percentile (early career)$49,990$24.03
50th percentile (median)$64,080$30.81
75th percentile (experienced)$77,660$37.34
90th percentile (top earners)$86,240$41.46

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories for Healthcare Social Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$94,100
2California$89,660
3Hawaii$85,420
4Oregon$84,350
5New Jersey$82,690

Working as a Healthcare Social Worker in Kentucky

Nationally, about 188,000 people work as Healthcare Social Workers in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($64,080) 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 Healthcare Social Worker make in Kentucky?
The median Healthcare Social Worker salary in Kentucky is $64,080 per year, or about $30.81 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,010 at the entry level to $86,240 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Healthcare Social Workers about 6% less than the national median of $67,880. Kentucky ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Healthcare Social Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $64,080 a year. About 1,980 Healthcare Social Workers 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 Healthcare Social Worker 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.