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DATA PROFILE · 2025

Data Scientists salary in Kentucky

Median, range, employment, and 10-year outlook from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, with skills and task data from O*NET. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated June 12, 2026
Last refreshed: Jun 12, 2026

Data Scientists in Kentucky. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →

Median annual$91,760
Mean annual$100,840
Range (10th to 90th)$61,990 to $156,480
Kentucky employment1,540
State vs national-23.6% vs national
Editorial commentary

What the numbers say

The median Data Scientist wage in Kentucky was $93,490 in 2024, about 19% below the national median of $115,636. That gap is real, but it shrinks once you account for what the money actually buys. Kentucky's cost-of-living index sits at 90.6, meaning everyday expenses run roughly 10% below the national baseline. Adjusted for that, the in-state median lands closer to $103,200 in national-baseline dollars, which cuts the gap to around 11%.

The spread from bottom to top is wide. Data Scientists at the 10th percentile earned $58,130, while those at the 90th earned $160,460. Top earners made nearly three times what entry-level peers did. That range reflects how much experience, industry, and specialization drive pay in this field, even within a single state.

About 1,700 Data Scientists were employed in Kentucky in 2024. That is a relatively small base, which can make individual hiring decisions move the state median in ways that are less likely in larger labor markets like Texas or California.

BLS projects this occupation to grow 33.5% nationally between 2024 and 2034, a pace it classifies as much faster than average. Kentucky-specific projections are not published at this level of detail, so the national figure is the best available reference.

Methodology. Drafted with AI assistance using Anthropic Claude, reviewed by Adrian Serafin against BLS, O*NET, and BEA source data. No fact appears that does not exist in the cited public datasets.

Salary distribution

Where Kentucky data scientists fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$61,99025TH$75,620MEDIAN$91,76075TH$121,85090TH$156,480

The middle 50% of workers earn between $75,620 and $121,850, with a median of $91,760.

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By seniority

Data Scientists 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.

Wage trend

Median annual wage in Kentucky over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.

Median annual wage, Kentucky2023 to 2025
$88,8002023$93,4902024$91,7602025

Typical entry

  • Education

    Bachelor's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

Skill data from O*NET is not yet ingested for this occupation. We refresh this section when O*NET publishes a new release.

Common tasks (O*NET)

Task data from O*NET is not yet ingested for this occupation.

10-year outlook

Growth 2024 → 2034

+33.5%

Projected annual openings

BLS outlook

Growing much faster than average

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 20242034 cycle.

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Top metros in Kentucky

Metro-level salary data for data scientists in major Kentucky metropolitan areas.

Compare Data Scientists pay across nearby states

Side-by-side

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Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Data Scientists in Kentucky?
According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Data Scientists in Kentucky is $91,760.
How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Data Scientists?
The Kentucky median is -23.6% versus the BLS national figure of $120,042.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists in Kentucky?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $61,990 and the 90th-percentile at $156,480, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
Is Data Scientists a growing field?
BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 33.5% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
What education is required for Data Scientists?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

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.