metropolitan statistical area · 36980

Owensboro, KY

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025Owensboro, KY metro area

Figures describe the Owensboro, KY metropolitan statistical area as defined by BLS/OMB — the whole multi-county metro region, not Owensboro city limits.

Median annual wage, all occupations$44,960
Total employment49,450

Across all occupations, the median wage in the Owensboro, KY metro area was $44,960 per year ($21.62 per hour) as of the May 2025 OEWS estimates, across 49,450 jobs. 200 detailed occupations are published for this area.

Most concentrated occupations

Occupations far more common here than in the U.S. overall (location quotient ≥ 1.5, published estimates only) — a truthful picture of what makes this area’s job mix distinctive.

Location quotient: local share of employment ÷ national share
OccupationLocation quotientEmploymentMedian annual
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders8.13980$61,250
Cooks, Fast Food3.05620$22,260
Nursing Assistants1.94890$39,020
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants1.69520$37,070
Registered Nurses1.641,770Not published

All published occupations

Every detailed occupation BLS publishes for this area in May 2025 200 in total. Sort by pay, employment, or concentration.

Published occupations in the Owensboro, KY metro area
Occupation
Registered NursesNot publishedNot published1,7701.64
Retail Salespersons$29,030$13.961,4901.21
General and Operations Managers$73,460$35.321,2001.08
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$36,100$17.351,1800.86
Cashiers$27,870$13.401,1301.15
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$39,380$18.941,1301.21
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,750$12.861,0800.88
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$61,250$29.459808.13
Stockers and Order Fillers$31,210$15.009801.09
Customer Service Representatives$45,260$21.769201.12
Nursing Assistants$39,020$18.768901.94
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$50,600$24.338401.29
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$29,320$14.108001.14
Waiters and Waitresses$29,790$14.327801.08
Office Clerks, General$37,190$17.886500.83
Cooks, Fast Food$22,260$10.706203.05
Security Guards$31,440$15.125601.38
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$46,430$22.325601.29
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$35,890Not published5201.15
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$37,070$17.825201.69
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$42,450$20.415001.40
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$44,530$21.415001.03
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$73,010$35.104803.40
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$63,010Not published4701.06
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$39,360$18.924700.87
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$34,910$16.794601.18
Food Preparation Workers$27,130$13.044601.63
Cooks, Restaurant$30,010$14.434400.98
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$42,950$20.654301.66
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$51,700$24.864103.11
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$59,050$28.393901.00
Light Truck Drivers$39,700$19.093901.25
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$62,340$29.973800.84
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$36,030$17.323800.85
Food Batchmakers$37,090$17.833706.61
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$69,320$33.333601.69
Construction Laborers$43,760$21.043400.98
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$30,170$14.503302.34
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$62,150Not published3200.95
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$35,950$17.283201.04
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$49,390$23.753201.71
Receptionists and Information Clerks$31,300$15.053101.07
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$28,310$13.613001.10
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$43,900$21.112901.31
Medical Assistants$37,020$17.802801.06
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$58,920$28.332602.06
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$28,110$13.512601.73
Pharmacy Technicians$40,000$19.232601.77
Electricians$55,030$26.462601.07
Accountants and Auditors$77,800$37.402500.53
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$63,070Not published2501.29
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$50,010$24.042400.97
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$51,770$24.892201.39
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$47,590$22.882200.56
Loan Interviewers and Clerks$46,130$22.182204.17
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$62,110$29.862201.11
Social and Human Service Assistants$33,740$16.222101.48
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$71,430$34.342100.82
Carpenters$52,360$25.172101.01
Project Management Specialists$79,320$38.132000.58
Loan Officers$58,730$28.232002.24
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$76,870$36.961900.97
Financial Managers$107,190$51.541800.69
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$55,590$26.721801.43
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$64,310$30.921801.20
Human Resources Specialists$62,440$30.021700.60
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$62,180$29.901700.84
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$61,560$29.601700.79
Childcare Workers$29,150$14.021701.03
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$39,970$19.211703.11
Dental Assistants$45,330$21.791601.31
Bartenders$26,810$12.891600.66
Insurance Sales Agents$58,950$28.341601.02
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$60,060$28.881601.22
Bus Drivers, School$44,560$21.421601.21
Medical and Health Services Managers$104,370$50.181500.82
Computer User Support Specialists$62,490$30.041500.64
Nurse Practitioners$128,780$61.911501.42
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$24,050$11.561501.08
Recreation Workers$27,000$12.981501.44
Tellers$38,020$18.281501.42
Sewing Machine Operators$25,980$12.491504.61
Driver/Sales Workers$30,380$14.611501.12
Sales Managers$119,320$57.371400.71
Industrial Production Managers$109,400$52.601401.85
Physicians, All Other$401,180$192.871401.24
Dishwashers$28,450$13.681400.92
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$49,550$23.821400.91
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$34,430$16.551401.18
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$63,690$30.621300.85
Postal Service Mail Carriers$59,880$28.791301.24
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$50,440Not published1202.49
Pharmacists$139,950$67.291201.13
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$23,350$11.231200.72
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$55,260$26.571200.75
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$105,090Not published1101.05
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$53,950$25.941100.38
Lawyers$97,620$46.941100.44
Emergency Medical TechniciansNot publishedNot published1101.86
Parts Salespersons$37,990$18.271101.24
Management Analysts$73,860$35.511000.34
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$60,970$29.311000.86
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$63,010$30.291001.33
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$29,390$14.131001.21
Training and Development Specialists$56,150$26.99900.62
Software Developers$102,010$49.05900.17
Industrial Engineers$93,080$44.75900.73
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$60,760Not published901.12
Physical Therapists$83,270$40.03901.05
Correctional Officers and Jailers$41,120$19.77900.71
Machinists$47,170$22.68901.02
Construction Managers$91,550$44.02800.68
Compliance Officers$74,330$35.74800.63
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$60,550$29.11801.99
Dental Hygienists$75,490$36.29801.13
Physical Therapist Assistants$62,860$30.22802.23
Billing and Posting Clerks$45,900$22.07800.58
Tool and Die Makers$63,720$30.63804.68
Helpers--Production Workers$38,150$18.34801.43
Packers and Packagers, Hand$37,180$17.87800.42
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$65,430Not published702.07
Instructional Coordinators$76,030$36.55700.97
Speech-Language Pathologists$81,270$39.07701.12
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$29,600$14.23700.71
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$39,370$18.93701.32
Animal Caretakers$29,070$13.98700.82
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$36,870$17.73701.45
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$57,810$27.80701.77
Administrative Services Managers$121,020$58.18600.72
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$52,280$25.14600.62
Social and Community Service Managers$64,990$31.25600.88
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$58,100$27.94600.17
Computer Systems Analysts$86,470$41.57600.37
Chemical Technicians$61,580$29.61603.14
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$53,320$25.64600.46
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$64,380Not published601.21
Graphic Designers$44,950$21.61600.91
Coaches and ScoutsNot publishedNot published600.81
Occupational Therapists$95,740$46.03601.18
Medical Records Specialists$45,400$21.83601.03
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$72,010$34.62600.89
Counter and Rental Clerks$40,000$19.23600.50
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$27,880$13.40600.74
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$44,690$21.49600.90
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$53,040$25.50600.70
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$53,300$25.63605.27
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$36,430$17.52601.31
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$63,700$30.63603.11
Production Workers, All Other$33,430$16.07600.81
Chief Executives$171,540$82.47500.82
Architectural and Engineering Managers$129,430$62.23500.71
Cost Estimators$70,460$33.87500.65
Logisticians$64,230$30.88500.57
Financial and Investment Analysts$83,800$40.29500.44
Personal Financial Advisors$72,430$34.82500.59
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$94,060$45.22500.49
Mechanical Engineers$97,810$47.03500.58
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$62,710$30.15501.40
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$62,030Not published501.81
Teachers and Instructors, All Other$39,460Not published501.29
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$72,490$34.85501.14
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$35,440$17.04501.39
Amusement and Recreation Attendants$24,690$11.87500.43
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$44,150$21.23500.92
Painters, Construction and Maintenance$45,590$21.92500.70
Highway Maintenance Workers$40,400$19.42500.93
Butchers and Meat Cutters$35,370$17.01501.08
Computer and Information Systems Managers$138,480$66.58400.20
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$110,320$53.04400.52
Food Service Managers$70,200$33.75400.58
Managers, All Other$127,170$61.14400.20
Civil Engineers$91,430$43.96400.36
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$82,880$39.85401.00
Healthcare Social Workers$56,560$27.19400.60
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$37,490$18.03400.89
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$43,190$20.76400.79
Public Relations Specialists$69,350$33.34400.47
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$35,820$17.22401.08
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$54,450$26.18401.01
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$27,890$13.41400.38
Library Assistants, Clerical$33,790$16.25401.51
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$54,990$26.44400.30
Construction and Building Inspectors$69,050$33.20400.95
Automotive Body and Related Repairers$44,250$21.28400.80
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$56,310$27.07400.63
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$34,290$16.49401.22
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$27,500$13.22400.66
Machine Feeders and Offbearers$43,300$20.82403.31
Marketing Managers$124,040$59.64300.25
Facilities Managers$102,180$49.13300.66
Human Resources Managers$132,760$63.83300.44
Library Technicians$49,870$23.97301.52
Family Medicine Physicians$224,740$108.05300.94
Occupational Therapy Assistants$70,840$34.06302.01
Chefs and Head Cooks$47,620$22.90300.50
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$54,350$26.13300.67
Tire Repairers and Changers$34,640$16.65300.93
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$44,820$21.55301.03
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$44,340$21.32300.61
Residential Advisors$18,370$8.83Not publishedNot published

About this data. Estimates are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 release, retrieved from bls.gov/oes/tables.htm on July 24, 2026. OEWS estimates describe metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas and states — not city limits — and are not designed for year-over-year comparisons. See BLS methodology, our plain-English methodology, and sources. CitySalaryData is independent and not affiliated with BLS.