Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| Kentucky | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $109,010 | $142,991 | -24% |
| Median hourly wage | $52.41 | $68.75 | -24% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $120,854.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $120,366 | $86,450 | $159,250 | 89 |
The median annual salary for a Software Engineer in Kentucky is $109,010, or about $52.41 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Software Engineers is $142,991. Kentucky is -24% below the national median.
Entry-level software engineers in Kentucky typically earn from $86,450 depending on the city and employer.
With 7,660 software engineer jobs on record and a median salary of $109,010, Kentucky offers competitive pay compared to the rest of the country.