Kentucky ranks 42nd of 51 states and D.C. for software developers pay, trailing top-paying California ($170,910) by $64,710 — a 61% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $71,330 to $164,770 — a $93,440 spread, 29% tighter than the national $131,600 range.
Software Developers are less concentrated in Kentucky than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.33 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 3.03× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $71,330 | $34.29 |
| 25th percentile | $85,410 | $41.06 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $106,200 | $51.06 |
| 75th percentile | $134,150 | $64.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,770 | $79.22 |
| Mean (average) | $114,200 | $54.90 |
How Kentucky Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky (current) | $106,200 | n/a |
| California | $170,910 | +61% |
| Washington | $166,910 | +57% |
| New York | $161,260 | +52% |
| Massachusetts | $150,520 | +42% |
| Maryland | $137,890 | +30% |
| District of Columbia | $136,040 | +28% |
| Oregon | $135,260 | +27% |
| Delaware | $135,160 | +27% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Kentucky
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $105,660 | 1,080 |
| Computer Network Architects | $106,990 | 1,820 |
| Industrial Production Managers | $105,230 | 5,050 |
| Computer Programmers | $104,840 | 1,640 |
| Public Relations Managers | $102,690 | 530 |
| Lawyers | $102,670 | 6,380 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Software Developers salary in Kentucky?
The mean software developers salary in Kentucky is $114,200 per year. The median (middle) salary is $106,200 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Software Developers in Kentucky?
Entry-level software developerss (10th percentile) in Kentucky typically earn around $71,330 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $85,410 per year.
What is the highest Software Developers salary in Kentucky?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Kentucky make approximately $164,770 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $134,150 per year.
How does the Kentucky Software Developers salary compare to the national average?
The median software developers salary in Kentucky is $106,200, which is -20% below national average of $133,080.