Sociologist salary in Kentucky
Sociologists in Kentucky earn a median of $136,870 a year ($65.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $102,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,350 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $106,030. Kentucky ranks 2nd of 11 states for sociologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.02 sociologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $121,880, close to the median.
Pay range for sociologists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| 25th percentile | $104,870 | $50.42 |
| Median | $136,870 | $65.80 |
| 75th percentile | $140,790 | $67.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,350 | $78.05 |
| Average (mean) | $121,880 | $58.60 |
Half of sociologists 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 | $11,405.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,702.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,264.23 |
| Weekly | $2,632.12 |
| Hourly | $65.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for sociologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $140,770 |
| Kentucky | $136,870 |
| North Carolina | $126,760 |
| California | $125,770 |
| Alaska | $108,170 |
| Massachusetts | $106,530 |
| Maryland | $100,660 |
| Washington | $97,170 |
| Michigan | $88,040 |
| Ohio | $78,850 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,140 | $47.66 |
| School Psychologist | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $149,990 | $72.11 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $65,000 | $31.25 |
| Economist | $71,400 | $34.33 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $72,230 | $34.73 |
| Historian | $63,530 | $30.54 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,830 | $29.25 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $61,120 | $29.38 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3041. 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 sociologist make in Kentucky?
The median salary for sociologists in Kentucky is $136,870 a year, or $65.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid sociologists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of sociologists in Kentucky earn at least $162,350 a year. The top 25% earn $140,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for sociologists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,540 a year, and a quarter of sociologists earn $104,870 or less.
How many sociologists work in Kentucky?
About 30 sociologists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.