📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Physicist Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Kentucky · 17.0% below national average · High Demand

Average
$122,242
per year
Median
$113,942
per year
Hourly
$58.77
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$68,168
25th Percentile — Junior$94,230
50th Percentile — Median$113,942
75th Percentile — Senior$152,869
90th Percentile — Top Earners$176,605
💡 Top-earning Physicists in Kentucky make up to $176,605 per year. The job market in Kentucky is rated moderate, with key industries including Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$102.9k
2021
$106.5k
2022
$110.3k
2023
$114.1k
2024
$118.1k
2025
$122.2k
2026
📈 Physicist salaries in Kentucky have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong demand in Kentucky's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Physicist Salary by City in Kentucky
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Louisville $102,683 -16.0% High
Lexington $102,683 -16.0% High
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Physicist Job Market in Kentucky
Key factors affecting compensation

Kentucky is home to a moderate job market for Physicists. The state's key industries — Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $122,242 per year, Kentucky's Physicist salaries are 17.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Kentucky (index: 0.83) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in Kentucky can expect to earn $68,168–$94,230, while experienced Physicists can command $152,869–$176,605.

Looking ahead, the Physicist profession in Kentucky is projected to grow at 3.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Manufacturing continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Physicist salary in Kentucky is $122,242 per year in 2026, which is 17.0% below the national average of $147,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Physicists the highest wages in Kentucky due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Kentucky has a moderate job market with major industries in Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture. Opportunities exist in for Physicist employment.
  • At $122,242/year, Kentucky Physicist salaries are 17.0% lower than the national average of $147,280/year.