Software Developer Salary in Kentucky
Based on 8K+ workers in Kentucky
Median Annual Salary (KY)
$109,010
$52.41/hr
vs National Average
$127,401
-14.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$76K – $168K
8K employed in Kentucky
Software Developer salary in Kentucky averages $138,174 per year, positioning the state competitively in the tech employment market. This median figure represents approximately 6% above the national average, reflecting strong demand for software development talent in the state. Current employment data shows 69 workers in this field across Kentucky.
Several factors influence Software Developer salary in Kentucky, including years of experience, technical specialization, and company size. Developers working for larger enterprises or in specialized domains like financial technology tend to earn toward the higher end of the range, up to $155,635 annually. Geographic location within the state, educational credentials, and market competition for skilled professionals also play significant roles in determining individual compensation packages.
Salary Distribution — Software Developer in Kentucky
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $76,310 |
| 25th percentile | $91,960 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $109,010 |
| 75th percentile | $136,090 |
| 90th percentile | $168,110 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Developer 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 | Humana Inc. | 20 | $130,645 |
| 2 | Archer Daniels Midland Company | 20 | $160,000 |
| 3 | Fidelity Technology Group, LLC d/b/a Fidelity Investments | 6 | $105,281 |
| 4 | UPS Worldwide Forwarding, Inc. | 5 | $116,295 |
| 5 | Fujitsu North America, Inc. | 5 | $119,787 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Software Developer 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 I | Entry-level | $79,621 | 6 |
| Level II | Qualified | $100,547 | 89 |
| Level III | Experienced | $119,787 | 49 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $139,027 | 49 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Software Developer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Software Developers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Software Developers in Kentucky tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $166,400 | 347K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $147,010 | 18K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $139,270 | 810 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $136,610 | 3K |
| Manufacturing | $136,330 | 136K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Software Developer in Kentucky vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Kentucky) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $100,320 |
| 2023 | $103,030 |
| 2024 | $106,200 |
| 2025 | $109,010 |
| 2026 (projected) | $111,894 |
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 | $100,320 | $111,597 |
| 2023 | $103,030 | $118,750 |
| 2024 | $106,200 | $121,352 |
| 2025 | $109,010 | $127,401 |
| 2026 (projected) | $111,894 | $130,772 |
Software Developer Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $91,960 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $109,010 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $136,090 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $168,110 |
Software Developer Salary in Other States
Related Software Developer Salaries in Kentucky
How other high-demand occupations in Kentucky compare to Software Developer ($109,010 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Developer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in KY | $140,360 | +28.8% | $67.48/hr |
| Database Administrator in KY | $125,400 | +15.0% | $60.29/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in KY | $116,200 | +6.6% | $55.87/hr |
| Statistician in KY | $112,520 | +3.2% | $54.10/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in KY | $103,740 | -4.8% | $49.88/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in KY | $103,630 | -4.9% | $49.82/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in KY | $95,090 | -12.8% | $45.72/hr |
| Computer Programmer in KY | $94,850 | -13.0% | $45.60/hr |
| Data Scientist in KY | $91,760 | -15.8% | $44.12/hr |
| Software Engineer in KY | $89,420 | -18.0% | $42.99/hr |
| Network Administrator in KY | $87,020 | -20.2% | $41.84/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in KY | $83,850 | -23.1% | $40.31/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do software developers make in Kentucky?
- Software developers in Kentucky earn a median salary of $138,174 per year, which translates to approximately $66 per hour. This is 5.8% higher than the national average for the profession.
What is the salary range for software developers in Kentucky?
- The salary range for software developers in Kentucky extends up to $155,635 per year at the high end. This represents the upper boundary of compensation for experienced professionals in the state.
Is Kentucky's software developer salary above the national average?
- Yes, Kentucky's median software developer salary of $138,174 annually is 5.8% above the national average. This makes it a competitive market for software development professionals.
How many software developers are employed in Kentucky?
- There are approximately 69 software developers currently employed in Kentucky, according to available employment data.