Paramedic Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$49,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.99
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $60,600
State Rank
#47 of 51
1,800 employed here

How much does a Paramedic make in Kentucky?

Paramedics in Kentucky take home a median of $49,890 annually — roughly $23.99 an hour — which runs 18% below the national median of $60,600.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $40,050 while the top 10% make $66,820 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,530 and $61,530 a year.

Paramedic salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$40,050$19.25
25th percentile (early career)$44,530$21.41
50th percentile (median)$49,890$23.99
75th percentile (experienced)$61,530$29.58
90th percentile (top earners)$66,820$32.13

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 47th out of 51 states and territories for Paramedic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$104,310
2New Jersey$86,630
3Hawaii$81,280
4District of Columbia$78,550
5Connecticut$77,480

Working as a Paramedic in Kentucky

Nationally, about 101,000 people work as Paramedics in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($49,890) 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 Paramedic make in Kentucky?
The median Paramedic salary in Kentucky is $49,890 per year, or about $23.99 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,050 at the entry level to $66,820 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Paramedics about 18% less than the national median of $60,600. Kentucky ranks 47th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Paramedics?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $49,890 a year. About 1,800 Paramedics 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 Paramedic 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.