SOC 23-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Lawyers — East Kentucky
East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
The median wage for Lawyers in East Kentucky, KY is $85,280 per year, substantially below the national median of $159,670 — a gap of 46.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Lawyers in East Kentucky, KY is $85,280 per year, substantially below the national median of $159,670 — a gap of 46.6%. Pay ranges from under $59,980 at the tenth percentile to more than $154,160 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $71,350 to $120,030.
Employment stands at 330, or 3.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Louisville/Jefferson County leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $124,530. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 29th of 252 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $59,980 | −62.4% |
| 25th | $71,350 | −55.3% |
| Median (50th) | $85,280 | −46.6% |
| 75th | $120,030 | −24.8% |
| 90th | $154,160 | −3.5% |
| Mean | $101,740 | −36.3% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $124,530 | 2,000 | |
| 2 | Lexington | $111,040 | 1,040 | |
| 3 | Elizabethtown | $97,770 | 120 | |
| 4 | Owensboro | $97,620 | 110 | |
| 5 | Paducah | $96,960 | 150 | |
| 6 | Bowling Green | $96,830 | 250 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $85,280 goes as far as $94,545 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 40.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$85,280as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$94,545US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $85,280 a year, 46.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $59,980 to $154,160 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 330 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Louisville/Jefferson County, at $124,530.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Lawyers in East Kentucky, KY?
The median annual wage is $85,280, or $41.00 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 $159,670, so pay in East Kentucky, KY is 46.6% 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 East Kentucky, KY earns more than $154,160 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $59,980 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, at $124,530 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 330 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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