Social and Human Service Assistants Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Social and Human Service Assistants in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$37,440
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $45,930
State Rank
#46 of 51
4,670 employed here

How much do Social and Human Service Assistants make in Kentucky?

Social and Human Service Assistants in Kentucky take home a median of $37,440 annually — roughly $18.00 an hour — which runs 18% below the national median of $45,930.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $27,540 while the top 10% make $55,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,070 and $45,970 a year.

Social and Human Service Assistants salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$27,540$13.24
25th percentile (early career)$33,070$15.90
50th percentile (median)$37,440$18.00
75th percentile (experienced)$45,970$22.10
90th percentile (top earners)$55,530$26.70

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories for Social and Human Service Assistants pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$59,460
2Washington$54,770
3Oregon$51,230
4California$51,090
5Minnesota$49,940

Working as Social and Human Service Assistants in Kentucky

Nationally, about 438,000 people work as Social and Human Service Assistants in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($37,440) 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 do Social and Human Service Assistants make in Kentucky?
The median Social and Human Service Assistants salary in Kentucky is $37,440 per year, or about $18.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,540 at the entry level to $55,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Social and Human Service Assistants about 18% less than the national median of $45,930. Kentucky ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Social and Human Service Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,440 a year. About 4,670 Social and Human Service Assistants 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 Social and Human Service Assistants salary report

Related salaries

Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other

$56,730
median pay · 108,000 employed

Rehabilitation Counselor

$46,850
median pay · 95,000 employed

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

$59,550
median pay · 393,000 employed

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

$60,280
median pay · 133,000 employed

Health Education Specialist

$64,070
median pay · 66,000 employed

Directors, Religious Activities and Education

$52,100
median pay · 22,000 employed
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.