Cost of living

Cost of living in Kentucky: what jobs pay vs rent

Typical rent in Kentucky is about $918/mo (population-weighted Census gross rent, utilities included). Here's how 298 common jobs' estimated take-home pay compares.

JobEst. take-homeRent share
Family Physician$15,548/mo6%
Nurse Anesthetist$13,819/mo7%
Chief Executive$11,179/mo8%
Dentist$9,383/mo10%
Pharmacist$8,573/mo11%
Optometrist$8,464/mo11%
Architectural and Engineering Manager$8,430/mo11%
IT Manager$8,343/mo11%
Financial Manager$7,980/mo12%
Marketing Manager$7,500/mo12%
Web and Digital Interface Designer$7,258/mo13%
Natural Sciences Manager$7,255/mo13%
Human Resources Manager$7,223/mo13%
Purchasing Manager$7,149/mo13%
Nurse Practitioner$7,119/mo13%
Sales Manager$7,105/mo13%
Actuary$6,788/mo14%
Industrial Production Manager$6,743/mo14%
Physician Assistant$6,727/mo14%
Software Developer$6,697/mo14%
Network Architect$6,681/mo14%
Administrative Services Manager$6,477/mo14%
Public Relations Manager$6,475/mo14%
Construction Manager$6,414/mo14%
Healthcare Manager$6,341/mo14%
Veterinarian$6,304/mo15%
Mechanical Engineer$6,228/mo15%
Psychologist$6,183/mo15%
Information Security Analyst$6,018/mo15%
Architect$5,922/mo16%
Civil Engineer$5,888/mo16%
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$5,835/mo16%
Computer Programmer$5,779/mo16%
Data Scientist$5,772/mo16%
Physical Therapist$5,762/mo16%
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager$5,739/mo16%
Facilities Manager$5,665/mo16%
Industrial Engineer$5,524/mo17%
Lawyer$5,512/mo17%
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Product$5,421/mo17%
Electrical Engineer$5,407/mo17%
Occupational Therapist$5,379/mo17%
Management Consultant$5,338/mo17%
Project Management Specialist$5,277/mo17%
Systems Analyst$5,264/mo17%
Network Administrator$5,245/mo18%
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairer$5,155/mo18%
Chemist$5,148/mo18%
Operations Manager$5,128/mo18%
Insurance Underwriter$5,127/mo18%
Database Administrator$5,123/mo18%
Speech Pathologist$5,121/mo18%
Operations Research Analyst$5,070/mo18%
Financial Advisor$5,067/mo18%
Non-Retail Sales Worker$5,067/mo18%
Registered Nurse$5,059/mo18%
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Tester$4,973/mo18%
Sonographer$4,922/mo19%
Dental Hygienist$4,887/mo19%
Credit Analyst$4,852/mo19%
Chiropractor$4,782/mo19%
Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$4,694/mo20%
Mechanics, Installers, and Repairer$4,687/mo20%
Police and Detective$4,671/mo20%
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technician$4,597/mo20%
Claims Adjuster$4,575/mo20%
Web Developer$4,476/mo21%
Financial Examiner$4,456/mo21%
Construction Supervisor$4,419/mo21%
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,390/mo21%
Accountant$4,369/mo21%
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerk$4,296/mo21%
Logistician$4,278/mo21%
Medical Scientist$4,265/mo22%
Production and Operating Worker$4,259/mo22%
Cost Estimator$4,231/mo22%
Writer$4,204/mo22%
Loan Officer$4,167/mo22%
Librarian$4,163/mo22%
Firefighting and Prevention Worker$4,158/mo22%
Massage Therapist$4,146/mo22%
Computer Network Support Specialist$4,130/mo22%
Respiratory Therapist$4,122/mo22%
Compliance Officer$4,109/mo22%
Dietitian$4,109/mo22%
Buyers and Purchasing Agent$4,107/mo22%
Social and Community Service Manager$4,079/mo23%
Radiologic Technologist$4,062/mo23%
High School Teacher$4,033/mo23%
HR Specialist$4,007/mo23%
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technician$4,005/mo23%
Financial Analyst$4,003/mo23%
Interior Designer$3,998/mo23%
Food Service Manager$3,982/mo23%
Instructional Coordinator$3,975/mo23%
Industrial Machinery Mechanic$3,972/mo23%
Physical Therapist Assistant$3,970/mo23%
Sales Representative$3,967/mo23%
Healthcare Social Worker$3,954/mo23%
Postal Service Clerk$3,938/mo23%
Plumber$3,936/mo23%
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent$3,923/mo23%
Labor Relations Specialist$3,921/mo23%
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$3,920/mo23%
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$3,905/mo24%
Office and Administrative Support Worker$3,904/mo24%
Detectives and Criminal Investigator$3,899/mo24%
Market Research Analyst$3,876/mo24%
Elementary School Teacher$3,845/mo24%
Public Relations Specialist$3,836/mo24%
School Counselor$3,802/mo24%
Electrician$3,714/mo25%
Construction and Building Inspector$3,699/mo25%
Special Ed Teacher$3,679/mo25%
Licensed Practical Nurse$3,643/mo25%
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technician$3,619/mo25%
Editor$3,608/mo25%
Postal Service Mail Carrier$3,600/mo26%
Training and Development Specialist$3,577/mo26%
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistant$3,560/mo26%
Equipment Operator$3,550/mo26%
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operator$3,539/mo26%
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$3,530/mo26%
Architectural and Civil Drafter$3,494/mo26%
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$3,468/mo26%
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialist$3,466/mo26%
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairer$3,404/mo27%
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tender$3,399/mo27%
Fundraiser$3,366/mo27%
Paramedic$3,366/mo27%
Surgical Technologist$3,358/mo27%
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerk$3,353/mo27%
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,348/mo27%
IT Support Specialist$3,328/mo28%
Insurance Agent$3,322/mo28%
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,314/mo28%
Producers and Director$3,314/mo28%
Clergy$3,306/mo28%
Truck Driver$3,298/mo28%
HVAC Technician$3,285/mo28%
Police Officer$3,281/mo28%
Carpenter$3,256/mo28%
Machinist$3,251/mo28%
Paralegals and Legal Assistant$3,237/mo28%
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk$3,173/mo29%
Property Manager$3,171/mo29%
Diesel Mechanic$3,156/mo29%
Graphic Designer$3,146/mo29%
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer$3,134/mo29%
Cement Masons and Concrete Finisher$3,110/mo30%
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Program$3,104/mo30%
Sheet Metal Worker$3,104/mo30%
Medical Equipment Repairer$3,089/mo30%
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$3,082/mo30%
Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Worker$3,068/mo30%
Automotive Body and Related Repairer$3,065/mo30%
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$3,062/mo30%
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$3,059/mo30%
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender$3,056/mo30%
Roofer$3,050/mo30%
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerk$3,026/mo30%
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$3,023/mo30%
Welder$3,006/mo31%
Loan Interviewers and Clerk$2,991/mo31%
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,971/mo31%
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner$2,968/mo31%
Cargo and Freight Agent$2,965/mo31%
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,952/mo31%
Maintenance Worker$2,938/mo31%
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technician$2,937/mo31%
Skincare Specialist$2,937/mo31%
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$2,913/mo32%
Medical Records Specialist$2,910/mo32%
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$2,899/mo32%
Food Batchmaker$2,882/mo32%
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmer$2,838/mo32%
Social Worker$2,828/mo32%
Bookkeeper$2,822/mo33%
Fitness Trainer$2,798/mo33%
Security Worker$2,786/mo33%
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tender$2,779/mo33%
Painter$2,775/mo33%
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,755/mo33%
Delivery Driver$2,753/mo33%
Bill and Account Collector$2,745/mo33%
Construction Laborer$2,745/mo33%
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weigher$2,745/mo33%
Medical Equipment Preparer$2,707/mo34%
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairer$2,684/mo34%
Printing Press Operator$2,659/mo35%
Opticians, Dispensing$2,636/mo35%
Biological Technician$2,608/mo35%
Audio and Video Technician$2,603/mo35%
Sports Coach$2,571/mo36%
Bus Drivers, School$2,563/mo36%
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$2,555/mo36%
Warehouse Worker$2,549/mo36%
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer$2,538/mo36%
Public Safety Telecommunicator$2,521/mo36%
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerk$2,521/mo36%
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist$2,519/mo36%
Admin Assistant$2,517/mo36%
Housekeeping and Janitorial Worker$2,508/mo37%
Dental Assistant$2,504/mo37%
Billing and Posting Clerk$2,501/mo37%
Retail Supervisor$2,498/mo37%
Personal Service Worker$2,491/mo37%
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$2,489/mo37%
Auto Mechanic$2,475/mo37%
Journalist$2,464/mo37%
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenter$2,453/mo37%
Advertising Sales Agent$2,448/mo38%
Rehabilitation Counselor$2,445/mo38%
Court, Municipal, and License Clerk$2,434/mo38%
Tax Preparer$2,430/mo38%
Self-Enrichment Teacher$2,425/mo38%
Phlebotomist$2,423/mo38%
Medical Assistant$2,414/mo38%
Pharmacy Technician$2,412/mo38%
Ophthalmic Medical Technician$2,406/mo38%
Photographer$2,405/mo38%
Correctional Officer$2,401/mo38%
Chef$2,390/mo38%
Real Estate Agent$2,384/mo39%
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$2,379/mo39%
Pest Control Worker$2,376/mo39%
Nursing Assistant$2,373/mo39%
Customer Service Rep$2,361/mo39%
Psychiatric Technician$2,343/mo39%
Teller$2,330/mo39%
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistant$2,329/mo39%
EMT$2,319/mo40%
Social and Human Service Assistant$2,317/mo40%
Veterinary Technologists and Technician$2,310/mo40%
Stockers and Order Filler$2,309/mo40%
Order Clerk$2,308/mo40%
Manicurists and Pedicurist$2,299/mo40%
Parts Salesperson$2,298/mo40%
Butchers and Meat Cutter$2,284/mo40%
Packers and Packagers, Hand$2,284/mo40%
Food Service Supervisor$2,278/mo40%
Landscaper$2,274/mo40%
Office Clerk$2,261/mo41%
Tire Repairers and Changer$2,257/mo41%
Data Entry Keyer$2,252/mo41%
Counter and Rental Clerk$2,239/mo41%
Firefighter$2,238/mo41%
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmer$2,231/mo41%
Preschool Teacher$2,206/mo42%
Slaughterers and Meat Packer$2,170/mo42%
Baker$2,168/mo42%
Tutor$2,152/mo43%
Library Technician$2,148/mo43%
Highway Maintenance Worker$2,141/mo43%
Couriers and Messenger$2,137/mo43%
Telemarketer$2,120/mo43%
File Clerk$2,064/mo44%
Security Guard$2,040/mo45%
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$2,035/mo45%
Crossing Guards and Flagger$2,031/mo45%
Cooks, Short Order$2,007/mo46%
Receptionist$1,980/mo46%
Hairdresser$1,977/mo46%
Home Health Aide$1,974/mo47%
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$1,964/mo47%
Janitor$1,947/mo47%
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$1,945/mo47%
Parking Attendant$1,943/mo47%
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$1,938/mo47%
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant$1,931/mo48%
Teaching Assistant$1,925/mo48%
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$1,917/mo48%
Restaurant Cook$1,911/mo48%
Animal Caretaker$1,909/mo48%
Retail Salesperson$1,909/mo48%
Bartender$1,894/mo48%
Driver/Sales Worker$1,884/mo49%
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeur$1,870/mo49%
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helper$1,854/mo50%
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaner$1,819/mo50%
Childcare Worker$1,807/mo51%
Recreation Worker$1,807/mo51%
Food Preparation Worker$1,796/mo51%
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$1,787/mo51%
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker$1,784/mo51%
Residential Advisor$1,747/mo53%
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker$1,744/mo53%
Dishwasher$1,728/mo53%
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerk$1,726/mo53%
Sewing Machine Operator$1,723/mo53%
Cashier$1,719/mo53%
Library Assistants, Clerical$1,622/mo57%
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$1,531/mo60%
Fast Food and Counter Worker$1,528/mo60%
Cooks, Fast Food$1,513/mo61%
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Taker$1,513/mo61%
Amusement and Recreation Attendant$1,480/mo62%
Server$1,388/mo66%

Pay is BLS OEWS 2023 state median wages after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. It doesn't include state taxes, insurance, transport, or the cost of moving.

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