Computer Programmer Salary in Kentucky
Based on 950+ workers in Kentucky
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (KY)
$94,850
$45.60/hr
vs National Average
$96,002
-1.2% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$62K – $140K
950 employed in Kentucky
Salary Distribution — Computer Programmer in Kentucky
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,990 |
| 25th percentile | $80,310 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $94,850 |
| 75th percentile | $125,380 |
| 90th percentile | $140,460 |
Top-Paying Industries for Computer Programmer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Computer Programmers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Computer Programmers in Kentucky tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | $129,150 | 450 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $123,520 | 170 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $111,290 | 860 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $108,410 | 3K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $107,950 | 3K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Computer Programmer in Kentucky vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Kentucky) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $94,850 |
| 2026 (projected) | $97,696 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Kentucky Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $94,850 | $96,002 |
| 2026 (projected) | $97,696 | $98,882 |
Computer Programmer Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $80,310 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $94,850 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $125,380 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $140,460 |
Computer Programmer Salary in Other States
Related Computer Programmer Salaries in Kentucky
How other high-demand occupations in Kentucky compare to Computer Programmer ($94,850 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Computer Programmer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in KY | $140,360 | +48.0% | $67.48/hr |
| Database Administrator in KY | $125,400 | +32.2% | $60.29/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in KY | $116,200 | +22.5% | $55.87/hr |
| Statistician in KY | $112,520 | +18.6% | $54.10/hr |
| Software Developer in KY | $109,010 | +14.9% | $52.41/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in KY | $103,740 | +9.4% | $49.88/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in KY | $103,630 | +9.3% | $49.82/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in KY | $95,090 | +0.3% | $45.72/hr |
| Data Scientist in KY | $91,760 | -3.3% | $44.12/hr |
| Software Engineer in KY | $89,420 | -5.7% | $42.99/hr |
| Network Administrator in KY | $87,020 | -8.3% | $41.84/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in KY | $83,850 | -11.6% | $40.31/hr |