Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists Salary in Kentucky
In Kentucky, market research analysts and marketing specialists earn a median $61,480 a year, well below the national median of $78,760 (−22%); the state ranks 43rd of 51 states by median. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists earn 31% more than the median across all occupations in Kentucky ($46,920). Among neighbouring states, Illinois, Virginia, Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee and Indiana pay more (up to $79,120 in Illinois) and West Virginia pays less (down to $52,340 in West Virginia). Kentucky employs 6,290 market research analysts and marketing specialists, 3.14 per 1,000 jobs, the 32nd largest count of any state. A location quotient of 0.54 means it is less common in Kentucky than nationally.
Kentucky vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Kentucky | Hourly | $18.25 | $23.05 | $29.56 | $37.64 | $49.66 | $33.76 | 6,290 | 3.14 | 0.54 |
| Annual | $37,970 | $47,950 | $61,480 | $78,290 | $103,300 | $70,220 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $20.86 | $28.05 | $37.87 | $52.07 | $74.75 | $43.03 | 899,580 | – | – |
| Annual | $43,390 | $58,350 | $78,760 | $108,310 | $155,480 | $89,490 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 43rd of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 32nd of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 0.54
- Jobs per 1,000
- 3.14
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Kentucky's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in Kentucky
9 metropolitan areas and 4 nonmetropolitan areas touching Kentucky publish a row for market research analysts and marketing specialists, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $36.42 | $75,750 | $44,970 | $134,270 | 7,080 | 6.43 | 1.11 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $31.38 | $65,280 | $40,680 | $156,200 | 1,140 | 3.97 | 0.69 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $30.99 | $64,460 | $40,980 | $98,310 | 130 | 2.57 | 0.44 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30.42 | $63,280 | $38,230 | $103,650 | 2,290 | 3.34 | 0.58 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $29.19 | $60,720 | $37,310 | $105,180 | 150 | 3.04 | 0.53 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $28.94 | $60,200 | $37,410 | $229,900 | 240 | 2.98 | 0.52 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $27.89 | $58,020 | $32,610 | $107,480 | 250 | 2.38 | 0.41 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $26.78 | $55,700 | $35,110 | $87,080 | 290 | 2.09 | 0.36 |
| Owensboro, KY | $25.94 | $53,950 | $32,940 | $229,990 | 110 | 2.22 | 0.38 |
| Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $27.59 | $57,380 | $37,440 | $83,310 | 370 | 2.17 | 0.38 |
| South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $27.10 | $56,380 | $34,140 | $92,360 | 270 | 1.55 | 0.27 |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $25.08 | $52,160 | $33,590 | $86,680 | 240 | 1.86 | 0.32 |
| East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $23.28 | $48,420 | $29,880 | $80,280 | 120 | 1.32 | 0.23 |
Neighbouring states
| State | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $29.56 | $61,480 | 6,290 | 0.54 |
| Illinois | $38.04 | $79,120 | 40,560 | 1.15 |
| Indiana | $30.63 | $63,700 | 14,400 | 0.78 |
| Missouri | $33.72 | $70,140 | 14,890 | 0.88 |
| Ohio | $35.00 | $72,790 | 27,370 | 0.85 |
| Tennessee | $33.55 | $69,790 | 13,040 | 0.69 |
| Virginia | $37.01 | $76,980 | 25,610 | 1.08 |
| West Virginia | $25.17 | $52,340 | 1,650 | 0.41 |
See the national page for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists (every state ranked) and the Kentucky wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS Kentucky estimates.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.