Lawyers in Kentucky. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Kentucky lawyers earned a median of $102,670 in 2024, about 31% below the national median of $149,496. That is one of the larger state-level gaps we see for this occupation, and it holds even before adjusting for what the money actually buys.
Kentucky's cost-of-living index sits at 90.6, meaning prices here run roughly 10% below the national baseline. Adjusting for that, the $102,670 median translates to around $113,300 in national-baseline dollars. The gap narrows, but at about 24% below the US median it stays meaningful.
The spread across pay levels is wide. The bottom 10% of Kentucky lawyers earned around $53,860 in 2024. The top 10% earned $193,980, roughly 3.6 times as much. That range reflects the difference between early-career public defenders or rural general practitioners on one end and senior partners at larger firms on the other. The mean wage of $116,020 sits well above the median, which tells us a smaller group of high earners pulls the average up.
BLS projects average growth for Lawyers nationally through 2034, around 4.2% over the decade. Kentucky's 6,380 employed lawyers in 2024 give this a real base, though the projection covers national figures rather than state-level detail.
Salary distribution
Where Kentucky lawyers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $78,140 and $149,120, with a median of $101,550.
Where do you stand?
Get an instant percentile reading. Anonymous, no signup.
Aggregate unlocks once 5 readers have shared a salary for this role and state.
Lawyers 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.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.7 / 5
Law and Government
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.5 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- 02
Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- 03
Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- 04
Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- 05
Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- 06
Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- 07
Work in environmental law, representing public interest groups, waste disposal companies, or construction firms in their dealings with state and federal agencies.
- 08
Present and summarize cases to judges and juries.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Lawyers
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesTop metros in Kentucky
Metro-level salary data for lawyers in major Kentucky metropolitan areas.
- Louisville$124,530
Compare Lawyers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Kentucky with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Lawyers in Kentucky?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Lawyers in Kentucky is $101,550.
- How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Lawyers?
- The Kentucky median is -36.3% versus the BLS national figure of $159,328.
- What is the salary range for Lawyers in Kentucky?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $63,010 and the 90th-percentile at $187,180, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Lawyers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Lawyers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional 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.