What the numbers say
The median wage for Business Operations Specialists in Kentucky was $75,800 in 2024, about 7.7% below the national median of $82,135. That gap is real but not as wide as the headline suggests once you factor in what the money actually buys. Kentucky's cost of living runs roughly 9% below the national baseline, which puts the in-state median closer to $83,500 in national-baseline dollars. By that measure, Kentucky salaries come out slightly ahead.
The spread between entry-level and senior pay is substantial. The bottom 10% of earners in this occupation made around $48,070, while the top 10% reached $119,550. Top earners make about 2.5 times what those at the lower end do. That range reflects how varied this occupational group is: it covers roles from compliance coordinators to supply chain analysts to management consultants, each with its own ceiling.
The mean annual wage of $79,860 sits above the median, which tells us a smaller group of higher-paid specialists pulls the average up. That pattern is typical for this type of role, where a jump in seniority or a move into a more specialized function can shift pay significantly.
BLS projects average growth of 3% for this occupation between 2024 and 2034. Average, by BLS standards, means on pace with most other occupations. It is not a contraction story, and it is not a boom story either.
Salary distribution
Where Kentucky business operations specialists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $59,950 and $96,150, with a median of $75,800.
Business Operations Specialists in Kentucky: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 10 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $81,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $47,757 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $53,924 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Business Operations Specialists in Kentucky. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| V-Soft Consulting Group, INC | Director of Delivery & Recruiting “ IT Consulting | 6 | $82,000 |
| Kyungshin Cable International Corporation | Procurement and Logistics Analyst | 1 | $80,000 |
| Close the Loop, Inc. | Projects Specialist | 1 | $47,757 |
| Amazon.com Services LLC | Service Technician II | 1 | $64,917 |
| Murray State University | Assessment Coordinator | 1 | $42,931 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Technical Recruiter at V-Soft Consulting Group, INC$82,000LouisvilleDecided Dec 18, 2025I-200-25345-474724
- Procurement and Logistics Analyst at Kyungshin Cable International Corporation$80,000GlendaleDecided Dec 12, 2025I-201-25339-460324
- Projects Specialist at Close the Loop, Inc.$47,757HebronWage Level IDecided Sep 16, 2025I-203-25252-295830
- Service Technician II at Amazon.com Services LLC$64,917HebronWage Level IIDecided Jul 24, 2025I-200-25198-181280
- Assessment Coordinator at Murray State University$42,931MurrayWage Level IIDecided Dec 26, 2024I-200-24352-551893
- Technical Recruiter at V-Soft Consulting Group, INC$67,000LouisvilleDecided Dec 18, 2025I-200-25345-474715
- Director of Delivery & Recruiting “ IT Consulting at V-Soft Consulting Group, INC$97,000LouisvilleDecided Dec 18, 2025I-200-25345-474737
- Director of Delivery & Recruiting “ IT Consulting at V-Soft Consulting Group, INC$82,000LouisvilleDecided Dec 18, 2025I-200-25345-474733
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Business Operations Specialists pay by experience level in Kentucky
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Business Operations Specialists in Kentucky, by industry
Median offered wage across 10 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $82,000.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | V-Soft Consulting Group, INC | 6 | $82,000 |
| Manufacturing | Kyungshin Cable International Corporation | 1 | $80,000 |
| Professional services | Close the Loop, Inc. | 1 | $47,757 |
| Retail and wholesale | Amazon.com Services LLC | 1 | $64,917 |
| Education | Murray State University | 1 | $42,931 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Kentucky over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
Less than 5 years
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+3.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for business operations specialists in major Kentucky metropolitan areas.
- Louisville$77,380
Compare Business Operations Specialists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Business Operations Specialists in Kentucky?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Business Operations Specialists in Kentucky is $75,800.
- How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Business Operations Specialists?
- The Kentucky median is -7.7% versus the BLS national figure of $82,135.
- What is the salary range for Business Operations Specialists in Kentucky?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $48,070 and the 90th-percentile at $119,550, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Business Operations Specialists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 3.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Business Operations Specialists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.