Software Developers Salary in Kentucky
In Kentucky, software developers earn a median $109,010 a year, well below the national median of $135,980 (−20%); the state ranks 44th of 50 states by median. Software Developers earn 2.3 times the median across all occupations in Kentucky ($46,920). Among neighbouring states, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, West Virginia and Ohio pay more (up to $136,460 in Virginia) and Indiana pays less (down to $105,920 in Indiana). Kentucky employs 7,660 software developers, 3.83 per 1,000 jobs, the 31st largest count of any state. A location quotient of 0.35 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 | $36.69 | $44.21 | $52.41 | $65.43 | $80.82 | $58.04 | 7,660 | 3.83 | 0.35 |
| Annual | $76,310 | $91,960 | $109,010 | $136,090 | $168,110 | $120,730 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $39.64 | $50.58 | $65.38 | $82.68 | $103.21 | $71.20 | 1,687,890 | – | – |
| Annual | $82,460 | $105,210 | $135,980 | $171,980 | $214,670 | $148,100 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 44th of 50 states
- Rank by employment
- 31st of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 0.35
- Jobs per 1,000
- 3.83
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 software developers, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $59.38 | $123,510 | $79,770 | $167,270 | 1,430 | 4.97 | 0.46 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $58.37 | $121,420 | $78,790 | $172,240 | 9,900 | 8.99 | 0.83 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $53.26 | $110,780 | $52,390 | $166,980 | 280 | 2.02 | 0.19 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $53.01 | $110,270 | $77,750 | $163,350 | 2,770 | 4.05 | 0.37 |
| Owensboro, KY | $49.05 | $102,010 | $75,380 | $160,160 | 90 | 1.82 | 0.17 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $48.39 | $100,650 | $72,090 | $201,790 | 200 | 2.46 | 0.23 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $47.72 | $99,260 | $62,680 | $155,570 | 140 | 2.70 | 0.25 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $46.47 | $96,650 | $63,710 | $161,270 | 310 | 3.00 | 0.28 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $46.14 | $95,980 | $60,380 | $139,600 | 180 | 3.56 | 0.33 |
| South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $52.56 | $109,330 | $74,590 | $154,110 | 280 | 1.62 | 0.15 |
| Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $50.71 | $105,470 | $70,340 | $166,550 | 600 | 3.47 | 0.32 |
| East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $50.44 | $104,920 | $73,260 | $166,490 | 130 | 1.39 | 0.13 |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $49.80 | $103,580 | $70,340 | $176,200 | 150 | 1.17 | 0.11 |
Neighbouring states
| State | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $52.41 | $109,010 | 7,660 | 0.35 |
| Illinois | $63.52 | $132,110 | 56,310 | 0.85 |
| Indiana | $50.92 | $105,920 | 14,130 | 0.41 |
| Missouri | $60.64 | $126,120 | 20,020 | 0.63 |
| Ohio | $54.85 | $114,090 | 44,790 | 0.74 |
| Tennessee | $58.86 | $122,430 | 19,030 | 0.53 |
| Virginia | $65.61 | $136,460 | 88,280 | 1.98 |
| West Virginia | $58.18 | $121,000 | 2,650 | 0.35 |
See the national page for Software Developers (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.