SOC 31-1120 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Home Health and Personal Care Aides — East Kentucky
East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
In East Kentucky, KY the median wage is $32,610.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In East Kentucky, KY the median wage is $32,610. That is 8.9% lower than the national median of $35,800. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $27,360 and $46,400. The lowest tenth earn under $23,770, while the highest tenth earn more than $54,390.
Employment stands at 2,280, or 24.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Owensboro leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $36,100. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 215th of 252 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,770 | −33.6% |
| 25th | $27,360 | −23.6% |
| Median (50th) | $32,610 | −8.9% |
| 75th | $46,400 | +29.6% |
| 90th | $54,390 | +51.9% |
| Mean | $36,510 | +2.0% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Owensboro | $36,100 | 1,180 | |
| 2 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $35,860 | 10,970 | |
| 3 | Elizabethtown | $35,810 | 830 | |
| 4 | Lexington | $35,190 | 2,990 | |
| 5 | Bowling Green | $35,160 | 1,150 | |
| 6 | Paducah | $33,290 | 730 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $32,610 goes as far as $36,153 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$32,610as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,153US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $32,610 a year, 8.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,770 to $54,390 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,280 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Owensboro, at $36,100.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Home Health and Personal Care Aides in East Kentucky, KY?
The median annual wage is $32,610, or $15.68 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 $35,800, so pay in East Kentucky, KY is 8.9% 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 $54,390 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,770 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 Owensboro, at $36,100 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,280 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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