Industrial Engineer Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$96,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$46.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $102,440
State Rank
#49 of 51
6,070 employed here

How much does an Industrial Engineer make in Kentucky?

Industrial Engineers in Kentucky take home a median of $96,820 annually — roughly $46.55 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $102,440.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $65,980 while the top 10% make $135,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,390 and $116,150 a year.

Industrial Engineer salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$65,980$31.72
25th percentile (early career)$79,390$38.17
50th percentile (median)$96,820$46.55
75th percentile (experienced)$116,150$55.84
90th percentile (top earners)$135,720$65.25

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories for Industrial Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Alaska$156,510
2Washington$129,050
3Oregon$128,290
4New Mexico$128,090
5California$124,600

Working as an Industrial Engineer in Kentucky

Nationally, about 366,000 people work as Industrial 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 ($96,820) 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 Industrial Engineer make in Kentucky?
The median Industrial Engineer salary in Kentucky is $96,820 per year, or about $46.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $65,980 at the entry level to $135,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Industrial Engineers about 5% less than the national median of $102,440. Kentucky ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Industrial Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $96,820 a year. About 6,070 Industrial 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 Industrial 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.