Data Scientist Salary in Kentucky
Based on 2K+ workers in Kentucky
Median Annual Salary (KY)
$91,760
$44.12/hr
vs National Average
$107,281
-14.5% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$62K – $156K
2K employed in Kentucky
Data Scientists in Kentucky earn a median salary of $91,760 per year, with approximately 1,540 professionals working in the state. This figure sits 14% below the national average, reflecting regional economic differences. The salary range spans from $61,990 to $156,480, indicating significant variation based on individual qualifications and experience levels.
Several factors influence Data Scientist salary in Kentucky, including years of experience, educational background, and industry sector. Company size and location within the state also play meaningful roles, as larger organizations and tech hubs typically offer higher compensation. Additionally, specialized skills in machine learning, cloud platforms, and business intelligence can command premium salaries within Kentucky's job market.
Salary Distribution — Data Scientist in Kentucky
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,990 |
| 25th percentile | $75,620 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $91,760 |
| 75th percentile | $121,850 |
| 90th percentile | $156,480 |
Top H-1B Employers for Data Scientist in Kentucky
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Kentucky — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HealthTech Solutions LLC | 3 | $113,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Data Scientist H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Kentucky
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Kentucky.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level II | Qualified | $83,360 | 10 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $125,000 | 7 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Data Scientist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Data Scientists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Data Scientists in Kentucky tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $141,440 | 32K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $137,840 | 4K |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | $133,750 | 2K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,050 | 29K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $126,730 | 70K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Data Scientist in Kentucky vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Kentucky) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $81,990 |
| 2023 | $88,800 |
| 2024 | $93,490 |
| 2025 | $91,760 |
| 2026 (projected) | $91,760 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $81,990 | $98,212 |
| 2023 | $88,800 | $104,916 |
| 2024 | $93,490 | $105,473 |
| 2025 | $91,760 | $107,281 |
| 2026 (projected) | $91,760 | $107,281 |
Data Scientist Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $75,620 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $91,760 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $121,850 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $156,480 |
Data Scientist Salary in Other States
Related Data Scientist Salaries in Kentucky
How other high-demand occupations in Kentucky compare to Data Scientist ($91,760 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Data Scientist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in KY | $140,360 | +53.0% | $67.48/hr |
| Database Administrator in KY | $125,400 | +36.7% | $60.29/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in KY | $116,200 | +26.6% | $55.87/hr |
| Statistician in KY | $112,520 | +22.6% | $54.10/hr |
| Software Developer in KY | $109,010 | +18.8% | $52.41/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in KY | $103,740 | +13.1% | $49.88/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in KY | $103,630 | +12.9% | $49.82/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in KY | $95,090 | +3.6% | $45.72/hr |
| Computer Programmer in KY | $94,850 | +3.4% | $45.60/hr |
| Software Engineer in KY | $89,420 | -2.6% | $42.99/hr |
| Network Administrator in KY | $87,020 | -5.2% | $41.84/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in KY | $83,850 | -8.6% | $40.31/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do data scientists make in Kentucky?
- The median salary for a data scientist in Kentucky is $91,760 per year, or $44 per hour. This is approximately 14.5% below the national average for this role.
What is the salary range for data scientists in Kentucky?
- Data scientist salaries in Kentucky range from $61,990 at the lower end to $156,480 at the higher end, depending on experience and qualifications.
How many data scientists are employed in Kentucky?
- There are approximately 1,540 data scientists currently employed in Kentucky.
Is the data scientist salary in Kentucky below the national average?
- Yes, Kentucky's median data scientist salary of $91,760 is 14.5% below the national average, making it a lower-paying state for this profession.