Lawyer salary in Kentucky
Lawyers in Kentucky earn a median of $101,550 a year ($48.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $187,180 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $159,670. Kentucky ranks 48th of 51 states for lawyers pay. There are 2.9 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $120,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,010 | $30.29 |
| 25th percentile | $78,140 | $37.57 |
| Median | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| 75th percentile | $149,120 | $71.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $187,180 | $89.99 |
| Average (mean) | $120,730 | $58.04 |
Half of lawyers 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 | $8,462.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,231.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,905.77 |
| Weekly | $1,952.88 |
| Hourly | $48.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $130,980 | 3,870 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $124,530 | 2,000 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $119,430 | 160 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $111,040 | 1,040 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $98,070 | 390 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $97,770 | 120 |
| Owensboro, KY | $97,620 | 110 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $96,960 | 150 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $96,830 | 250 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $150,650 | $72.43 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $59,830 | $28.76 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $52,860 | $25.41 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $68,220 | $32.80 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. 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 lawyer make in Kentucky?
The median salary for lawyers in Kentucky is $101,550 a year, or $48.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $187,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of lawyers in Kentucky earn at least $187,180 a year. The top 25% earn $149,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,010 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $78,140 or less.
How many lawyers work in Kentucky?
About 5,770 lawyers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.