Computer Programmer salary in Kentucky
Computer Programmers in Kentucky earn a median of $94,850 a year ($45.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 950 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,460 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $100,390. Kentucky ranks 23rd of 46 states for computer programmers pay. There are 0.47 computer programmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $101,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for computer programmers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| 25th percentile | $80,310 | $38.61 |
| Median | $94,850 | $45.60 |
| 75th percentile | $125,380 | $60.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,460 | $67.53 |
| Average (mean) | $101,200 | $48.65 |
Half of computer programmers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,904.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,952.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,648.08 |
| Weekly | $1,824.04 |
| Hourly | $45.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Computer Programmer salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $105,050 | n/a |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $101,640 | 410 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $90,850 | 130 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $68,790 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for computer programmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $133,820 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 |
| Washington | $125,620 |
| Maryland | $125,570 |
| Virginia | $121,610 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 |
| California | $116,760 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,940 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer User Support Specialist | $57,850 | $27.81 |
| Software Developer | $109,010 | $52.41 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $95,090 | $45.72 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $87,020 | $41.84 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $89,420 | $42.99 |
| Computer Network Architect | $103,740 | $49.87 |
| Information Security Analyst | $103,630 | $49.82 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $79,100 | $38.03 |
| Database Administrator | $87,390 | $42.02 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $77,000 | $37.02 |
| Database Architect | $125,400 | $60.29 |
| Web Developer | $82,630 | $39.73 |
| Data Scientist | $91,760 | $44.12 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $83,850 | $40.31 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1251. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make in Kentucky?
The median salary for computer programmers in Kentucky is $94,850 a year, or $45.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $140,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid computer programmers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of computer programmers in Kentucky earn at least $140,460 a year. The top 25% earn $125,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for computer programmers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,990 a year, and a quarter of computer programmers earn $80,310 or less.
How many computer programmers work in Kentucky?
About 950 computer programmers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.