SOC 11-3121 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Human Resources Managers — Kentucky
Kentucky · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Kentucky is $121,460 a year, trailing the national median of $149,280 by 18.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Kentucky is $121,460 a year, trailing the national median of $149,280 by 18.6%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $96,070 and $155,170. The lowest tenth earn under $76,520, while the highest tenth earn more than $194,280.
The area has 1,960 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.69 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Kentucky ranks number 41st out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Owensboro records the highest median at $132,760. Of the 699 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 43rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $76,520 | −48.7% |
| 25th | $96,070 | −35.6% |
| Median (50th) | $121,460 | −18.6% |
| 75th | $155,170 | +3.9% |
| 90th | $194,280 | +30.1% |
| Mean | $130,260 | −12.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Owensboro | $132,760 | 30 | |
| 2 | Lexington | $122,850 | 270 | |
| 3 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $122,360 | 730 | |
| 4 | Bowling Green | $118,420 | 80 | |
| 5 | Elizabethtown | $105,000 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $121,460 goes as far as $134,656 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$121,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$134,656US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $121,460 a year, 18.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $76,520 to $194,280 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,960 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 41st of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Owensboro, at $132,760.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Human Resources Managers in Kentucky?
The median annual wage is $121,460, or $58.40 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 $149,280, so pay in Kentucky is 18.6% 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 Kentucky earns more than $194,280 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $76,520 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 $132,760 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,960 jobs in this occupation in Kentucky. 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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