Paramedic salary in Kentucky
Paramedics in Kentucky earn a median of $49,890 a year ($23.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,820 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $60,600. Kentucky ranks 47th of 51 states for paramedics pay. There are 0.90 paramedics per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paramedics in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,050 | $19.25 |
| 25th percentile | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Median | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| 75th percentile | $61,530 | $29.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,820 | $32.13 |
| Average (mean) | $52,510 | $25.24 |
Half of paramedics 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 | $4,157.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,078.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,918.85 |
| Weekly | $959.42 |
| Hourly | $23.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Paramedic salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $63,210 | 200 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $60,330 | 130 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $55,760 | 490 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $53,980 | 60 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,320 | 650 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $47,260 | 60 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $43,750 | 330 |
Highest-paying states for paramedics
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $104,310 |
| New Jersey | $86,630 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 |
| District of Columbia | $78,550 |
| Connecticut | $77,480 |
| Minnesota | $76,300 |
| Oregon | $74,840 |
| California | $74,590 |
| New York | $73,200 |
| Alaska | $71,860 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,200 | $18.84 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $60,460 | $29.07 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $69,670 | $33.50 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $39,590 | $19.03 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $60,980 | $29.32 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $91,230 | $43.86 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $40,370 | $19.41 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2043. 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 paramedic make in Kentucky?
The median salary for paramedics in Kentucky is $49,890 a year, or $23.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paramedics make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of paramedics in Kentucky earn at least $66,820 a year. The top 25% earn $61,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for paramedics in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,050 a year, and a quarter of paramedics earn $44,530 or less.
How many paramedics work in Kentucky?
About 1,800 paramedics are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.