Historian Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$63,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.54
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $76,750
State Rank
#27 of 35
50 employed here

How much does a Historian make in Kentucky?

A Historian working in Kentucky earns a median salary of $63,530 per year, or about $30.54 per hour. That is 17% below the national median of $76,750 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $42,260 while the top 10% make $98,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,700 and $79,400 a year.

Historian salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$42,260$20.32
25th percentile (early career)$49,700$23.89
50th percentile (median)$63,530$30.54
75th percentile (experienced)$79,400$38.17
90th percentile (top earners)$98,530$47.37

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 27th out of 35 states and territories for Historian pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Massachusetts$121,710
2Maryland$120,580
3District of Columbia$118,290
4Minnesota$103,040
5Virginia$101,920

Working as a Historian in Kentucky

Nationally, about 3,000 people work as Historians in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($63,530) 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 Historian make in Kentucky?
The median Historian salary in Kentucky is $63,530 per year, or about $30.54 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,260 at the entry level to $98,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Historians about 17% less than the national median of $76,750. Kentucky ranks 27th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Historians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $63,530 a year. About 50 Historians 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 Historian 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.