Environmental Engineer salary in Kentucky
Environmental Engineers in Kentucky earn a median of $107,520 a year ($51.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,130 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $107,110. Kentucky ranks 18th of 50 states for environmental engineers pay. There are 0.17 environmental engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $113,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for environmental engineers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,310 | $36.69 |
| 25th percentile | $93,290 | $44.85 |
| Median | $107,520 | $51.69 |
| 75th percentile | $132,190 | $63.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,130 | $75.54 |
| Average (mean) | $113,090 | $54.37 |
Half of environmental engineers 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 | $8,960 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,480 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,135.38 |
| Weekly | $2,067.69 |
| Hourly | $51.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Environmental Engineer salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $113,960 | 150 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $107,830 | 100 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $105,370 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for environmental engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $130,510 |
| California | $130,410 |
| Oregon | $127,100 |
| Washington | $125,460 |
| Texas | $123,060 |
| Nebraska | $120,620 |
| Idaho | $117,520 |
| Florida | $116,840 |
| Massachusetts | $115,800 |
| Minnesota | $115,750 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,050 | $48.58 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $101,860 | $48.97 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $116,200 | $55.86 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,830 | $48.00 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $107,760 | $51.81 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $126,130 | $60.64 |
| Materials Engineer | $100,620 | $48.38 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $103,300 | $49.67 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,170 | $56.33 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $95,360 | $45.85 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $59,710 | $28.71 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2081. 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 environmental engineer make in Kentucky?
The median salary for environmental engineers in Kentucky is $107,520 a year, or $51.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid environmental engineers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of environmental engineers in Kentucky earn at least $157,130 a year. The top 25% earn $132,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for environmental engineers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,310 a year, and a quarter of environmental engineers earn $93,290 or less.
How many environmental engineers work in Kentucky?
About 350 environmental engineers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.