SOC 33-3012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Correctional Officers and Jailers — East Kentucky
East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay in East Kentucky, KY is $42,310 a year, 28.2% under the national median of $58,940 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in East Kentucky, KY is $42,310 a year, 28.2% under the national median of $58,940 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $36,430 and $50,310. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $29,690 and the ninetieth at $70,080.
The area has 1,610 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 17.6 of every thousand jobs. Lexington leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $51,510. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 153rd of 252 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,690 | −49.6% |
| 25th | $36,430 | −38.2% |
| Median (50th) | $42,310 | −28.2% |
| 75th | $50,310 | −14.6% |
| 90th | $70,080 | +18.9% |
| Mean | $46,000 | −22.0% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $51,510 | 700 | |
| 2 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $45,330 | 880 | |
| 3 | Owensboro | $41,120 | 90 | |
| 4 | Bowling Green | $41,100 | 240 | |
| 5 | Paducah | $39,120 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $42,310 goes as far as $46,907 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$42,310as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,907US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $42,310 a year, 28.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,690 to $70,080 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,610 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lexington, at $51,510.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Correctional Officers and Jailers in East Kentucky, KY?
The median annual wage is $42,310, or $20.34 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $58,940, so pay in East Kentucky, KY is 28.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in East Kentucky, KY earns more than $70,080 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,690 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Lexington, at $51,510 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,610 jobs in this occupation in East Kentucky, KY. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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