Healthcare Social Worker salary in Kentucky
Healthcare Social Workers in Kentucky earn a median of $64,080 a year ($30.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,980 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,240 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $67,880. Kentucky ranks 29th of 51 states for healthcare social workers pay. There are 0.99 healthcare social workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for healthcare social workers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,010 | $20.68 |
| 25th percentile | $49,990 | $24.04 |
| Median | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| 75th percentile | $77,660 | $37.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,240 | $41.46 |
| Average (mean) | $64,960 | $31.23 |
Half of healthcare social workers 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 | $5,340 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,670 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,464.62 |
| Weekly | $1,232.31 |
| Hourly | $30.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Healthcare Social Worker salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Paducah, KY-IL | $78,660 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $70,670 | 1,600 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $68,970 | 620 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $62,170 | 320 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $61,610 | 60 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $61,450 | 30 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $59,340 | 440 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $59,210 | 110 |
| Owensboro, KY | $56,560 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for healthcare social workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $94,100 |
| California | $89,660 |
| Hawaii | $85,420 |
| Oregon | $84,350 |
| New Jersey | $82,690 |
| Vermont | $81,140 |
| Connecticut | $79,900 |
| Washington | $78,570 |
| Nevada | $78,470 |
| New Hampshire | $78,260 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,100 | $28.42 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $54,190 | $26.05 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $64,350 | $30.94 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $42,570 | $20.46 |
| Community Health Worker | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $58,540 | $28.15 |
| Health Education Specialist | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $85,160 | $40.94 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| Counselors, All Other | $40,230 | $19.34 |
| Clergy | $58,920 | $28.33 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1022. 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 healthcare social worker make in Kentucky?
The median salary for healthcare social workers in Kentucky is $64,080 a year, or $30.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid healthcare social workers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of healthcare social workers in Kentucky earn at least $86,240 a year. The top 25% earn $77,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for healthcare social workers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,010 a year, and a quarter of healthcare social workers earn $49,990 or less.
How many healthcare social workers work in Kentucky?
About 1,980 healthcare social workers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.