SOC 13-1082 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Project Management Specialists — East Kentucky
East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
In East Kentucky, KY the median wage is $78,100.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In East Kentucky, KY the median wage is $78,100. That is 23.7% lower than the national median of $102,320. Pay ranges from under $45,180 at the tenth percentile to more than $126,970 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $56,430 to $126,140.
Employment stands at 260, or 2.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Lexington records the highest median at $84,520. Of the 252 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 39th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,180 | −55.8% |
| 25th | $56,430 | −44.8% |
| Median (50th) | $78,100 | −23.7% |
| 75th | $126,140 | +23.3% |
| 90th | $126,970 | +24.1% |
| Mean | $85,610 | −16.3% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $84,520 | 2,020 | |
| 2 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $82,660 | 3,630 | |
| 3 | Bowling Green | $81,300 | 350 | |
| 4 | Owensboro | $79,320 | 200 | |
| 5 | Paducah | $78,090 | 280 | |
| 6 | Elizabethtown | $77,260 | 160 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $78,100 goes as far as $86,585 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,100as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$86,585US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,100 a year, 23.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $45,180 to $126,970 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 260 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lexington, at $84,520.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Project Management Specialists in East Kentucky, KY?
The median annual wage is $78,100, or $37.55 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 $102,320, so pay in East Kentucky, KY is 23.7% 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 $126,970 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $45,180 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 $84,520 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 260 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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