nonmetropolitan area · 2100001

West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area

Figures describe the West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area, a BLS-defined region outside metropolitan areas — not a single city or town.

Median annual wage, all occupations$43,870
Total employment128,740

Across all occupations, the median wage in the West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area was $43,870 per year ($21.09 per hour) as of the May 2025 OEWS estimates, across 128,740 jobs. 347 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.

All published occupations

Every detailed occupation BLS publishes for this area in May 2025 347 in total. Sort by pay, employment, or concentration.

Published occupations in the West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area
Occupation
Cashiers$27,090$13.023,7501.47
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$49,330$23.723,3501.96
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$38,140$18.343,2501.33
Stockers and Order Fillers$34,700$16.693,2101.37
General and Operations Managers$68,370$32.872,9601.02
Retail Salespersons$28,950$13.922,8700.89
Fast Food and Counter Workers$23,450$11.282,8200.88
Registered Nurses$76,960$37.002,7100.97
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$48,330$23.241,8901.49
Office Clerks, General$36,350$17.481,8300.90
Nursing Assistants$37,230$17.901,8101.51
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$44,090$21.201,6901.49
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$37,960$18.251,6801.45
Waiters and Waitresses$22,140$10.641,6400.87
Customer Service Representatives$37,490$18.021,5900.74
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$30,880$14.841,5800.86
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$28,850Not published1,5501.32
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$59,580Not published1,4701.28
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$67,930$32.661,4704.03
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$41,550$19.981,4200.40
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$72,800$35.001,3802.48
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$37,040$17.811,3701.47
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$36,360$17.481,3601.71
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$38,820$18.671,3500.96
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$31,890$15.331,2301.21
Cooks, Fast Food$22,900$11.011,2002.25
Construction Laborers$45,390$21.821,2001.32
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$61,130$29.391,0900.92
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$61,000Not published1,0801.23
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$44,450$21.371,0502.12
Food Preparation Workers$22,990$11.061,0201.38
Correctional Officers and Jailers$42,310$20.349803.10
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$29,800$14.339602.64
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$43,410$20.879302.95
Cooks, Restaurant$28,930$13.918900.76
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$40,340$19.398601.28
Medical Assistants$36,080$17.358501.25
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$72,960$35.088301.61
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$39,550$19.018201.40
Machinists$51,220$24.638203.44
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$71,190$34.228101.20
Electricians$58,620$28.188001.28
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$45,400$21.837901.24
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$61,340$29.497800.76
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$57,210$27.517801.97
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,340$22.767506.03
Light Truck Drivers$35,620$17.137500.92
Helpers--Production Workers$39,890$19.187405.37
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$60,940Not published7301.43
Pharmacy Technicians$36,930$17.757001.79
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$28,260$13.596800.95
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$31,420$15.116800.87
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$43,650$20.996804.79
Bus Drivers, School$38,100$18.326802.05
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$59,100$28.426602.04
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$55,700$26.786505.61
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$59,940$28.826401.19
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$55,420$26.646101.09
Childcare Workers$25,690$12.356101.41
Industrial Production Managers$101,720$48.906002.97
Accountants and Auditors$68,080$32.736000.50
Carpenters$47,880$23.025901.06
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$50,930$24.495601.62
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$63,690$30.625506.92
Tellers$36,110$17.365401.96
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$39,420$18.955304.38
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$58,960$28.355301.03
Receptionists and Information Clerks$31,360$15.085200.70
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$58,470$28.115104.97
Medical and Health Services Managers$98,750$47.484900.99
Human Resources Specialists$59,220$28.474900.65
Postal Service Mail Carriers$58,510$28.134701.73
Food Batchmakers$42,910$20.634703.25
Packers and Packagers, Hand$37,420$17.994701.02
Project Management Specialists$75,050$36.084600.53
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$47,820$22.994500.44
Highway Maintenance Workers$41,690$20.054403.39
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$37,120$17.844401.40
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$34,230$16.464301.08
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$65,180$31.344201.10
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$70,840$34.064103.79
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$97,260Not published4001.49
Parts Salespersons$35,240$16.943701.65
Dishwashers$24,600$11.833600.90
Training and Development Specialists$49,150$23.633500.93
Industrial Engineers$97,540$46.893501.14
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$44,530$21.413503.29
Computer User Support Specialists$49,080$23.603400.58
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$55,160$26.523401.02
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$51,130Not published3301.52
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$52,800$25.383301.01
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$49,030$23.573101.30
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders$63,360$30.4631022.24
Nurse Practitioners$110,660$53.203001.12
Insurance Sales Agents$39,540$19.013000.75
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$64,140$30.842900.72
Lawyers$86,070$41.382900.47
Security Guards$35,360$17.002900.27
Animal Caretakers$28,850$13.872901.30
Financial Managers$112,980$54.322800.40
Loan Officers$67,200$32.312801.22
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$66,140$31.802800.96
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$61,100$29.382801.00
Machine Feeders and Offbearers$38,650$18.582807.96
Sales Managers$111,190$53.462700.51
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$54,070$26.002700.65
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$22,850$10.982700.76
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$37,470$18.012705.30
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$85,610$41.162602.24
Billing and Posting Clerks$41,230$19.822600.77
Loan Interviewers and Clerks$44,840$21.562601.88
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$47,790$22.982603.33
Driver/Sales Workers$34,910$16.782600.78
Emergency Medical Technicians$34,840$16.752501.70
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$52,160$25.082400.32
Pharmacists$132,280$63.592400.88
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$62,320$29.962401.25
Dental Assistants$44,070$21.192400.75
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$59,800Not published2302.54
Bartenders$21,860$10.512300.37
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$51,860$24.932301.54
Social and Human Service Assistants$43,460$20.892100.57
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$56,670Not published2101.58
Recreation Workers$36,530$17.562100.78
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$43,930$21.122101.42
Structural Iron and Steel Workers$63,350$30.462103.70
Compliance Officers$58,430$28.092000.59
Physical Therapist Assistants$59,220$28.472002.15
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$29,220$14.052000.81
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$93,920$45.152000.85
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$26,530$12.752000.90
Maintenance Workers, Machinery$74,780$35.952003.98
Sewing Machine Operators$29,420$14.152002.26
Production Workers, All Other$29,940$14.392000.98
Logisticians$66,430$31.941900.91
Construction Managers$89,110$42.841800.57
Computer Systems Analysts$87,450$42.041800.42
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$36,160$17.391801.86
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$39,580$19.031801.24
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$64,560$31.041800.45
Food Processing Workers, All Other$37,130$17.851803.33
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,890$22.541801.40
Teachers and Instructors, All Other$59,700Not published1701.78
Instructional Coordinators$72,050$34.641700.91
Physical Therapists$98,850$47.531700.77
Respiratory Therapists$66,470$31.961701.44
Speech-Language Pathologists$76,010$36.541701.15
Medical Records Specialists$45,080$21.671701.07
Slaughterers and Meat Packers$38,330$18.431702.99
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$61,900$29.761702.99
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$54,270$26.091601.67
Public Safety Telecommunicators$36,680$17.631601.94
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$51,040$24.541603.19
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$37,390$17.981604.64
Software Developers$103,580$49.801500.11
Mechanical Engineers$100,360$48.251500.60
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$28,670$13.781501.41
Counter and Rental Clerks$33,890$16.291500.47
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$42,840$20.601500.88
Postal Service Clerks$59,970$28.831502.43
Tool and Die Makers$63,950$30.751503.28
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$59,710$28.711402.42
Special Education Teachers, Middle School$51,360Not published1401.72
Physicians, All Other$430,260$206.861400.48
Phlebotomists$37,960$18.251401.21
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$23,120$11.111400.30
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$36,060$17.341401.11
Cost Estimators$68,360$32.871300.70
Business Operations Specialists, All Other$69,570$33.451300.14
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$59,470$28.591302.12
Paramedics$46,980$22.591301.58
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$57,150$27.481300.34
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$48,620$23.381300.77
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$68,300$32.841304.75
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$26,050$12.521300.78
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$46,580$22.391300.96
Food Service Managers$51,550$24.791200.60
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$73,880$35.521200.48
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$38,480$18.501200.37
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$45,610$21.931200.92
Butchers and Meat Cutters$29,590$14.231201.08
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$29,270$14.071200.58
Chief Executives$151,250$72.721100.66
Administrative Services Managers$99,990$48.071100.50
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$82,440$39.641100.58
Civil Engineers$92,120$44.291100.35
Chemical Technicians$60,080$28.881102.35
Occupational Therapists$92,300$44.381100.84
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$37,820$18.181101.00
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$67,790$32.591100.82
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$69,020$33.181100.62
Millwrights$59,900$28.801103.19
Printing Press Operators$42,340$20.361100.89
Computer and Information Systems Managers$112,510$54.091000.17
Architectural and Engineering Managers$135,850$65.311000.57
Electrical Engineers$103,120$49.581000.62
Healthcare Social Workers$57,400$27.601000.67
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$58,520$28.141001.28
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$33,410$16.061000.72
Coaches and Scouts$41,490Not published1000.48
Public Relations Specialists$53,200$25.581000.41
Dental Hygienists$71,840$34.541000.56
Surgical Technologists$58,320$28.041001.04
Pest Control Workers$38,420$18.471001.22
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$37,200$17.891000.38
Residential Advisors$30,760$14.791001.48
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$48,740$23.431000.78
Meter Readers, Utilities$44,450$21.371006.33
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$39,190$18.841002.27
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$47,280$22.731000.46
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals$37,350$17.961003.60
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$58,260$28.011003.32
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$57,080$27.441001.25
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$38,800$18.661002.09
Crane and Tower Operators$66,390$31.921002.77
Management Analysts$84,370$40.56900.12
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$46,970$22.58900.85
Roofers$47,650$22.91900.84
Bakers$28,320$13.61900.44
Human Resources Managers$106,040$50.98800.46
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$46,230$22.23800.33
Tax Preparers$27,190$13.07801.27
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$71,040$34.16801.11
Graphic Designers$44,030$21.17800.49
Family Medicine Physicians$147,460$70.90800.89
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$70,310$33.80801.73
Bailiffs$29,860$14.36805.52
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$19,690$9.46800.59
Chefs and Head Cooks$36,840$17.71800.49
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$39,070$18.78800.69
Agricultural Inspectors$51,630$24.82806.55
Brickmasons and Blockmasons$66,450$31.95801.86
Tire Repairers and Changers$34,640$16.65800.88
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$36,920$17.75801.02
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$43,120$20.73801.33
Social and Community Service Managers$78,530$37.76700.38
Financial and Investment Analysts$75,000$36.06700.22
Computer Network Support Specialists$64,840$31.18700.58
Surveyors$69,490$33.41701.66
Chemists$91,900$44.18701.02
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health$39,440$18.96702.38
Health Education Specialists$58,360$28.06701.25
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$34,660$16.66701.14
Amusement and Recreation Attendants$24,600$11.83700.22
Logging Equipment Operators$38,440$18.48704.30
Construction and Building Inspectors$58,160$27.96700.60
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$63,610$30.58700.61
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$59,060$28.39700.49
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$31,340$15.07700.81
Marketing Managers$127,510$61.30600.18
Facilities Managers$99,070$47.63600.50
Managers, All Other$93,690$45.05600.12
Information Security Analysts$65,840$31.65600.39
Computer Programmers$81,990$39.42600.76
Chemical Engineers$127,310$61.21603.55
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$79,140Not published600.33
Special Education Teachers, All Other$55,330Not published601.98
Physician Assistants$115,490$55.52600.46
Veterinarians$93,590$44.99600.89
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$80,180$38.55601.10
Opticians, Dispensing$42,890$20.62601.06
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$33,200$15.96600.64
Funeral Attendants$28,380$13.65602.49
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers$36,680$17.64602.66
Bill and Account Collectors$36,740$17.66600.42
New Accounts Clerks$38,430$18.48602.10
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$42,800$20.58600.82
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers$71,290$34.27602.42
Painters, Construction and Maintenance$45,090$21.68600.33
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders$53,160$25.56606.48
Purchasing Managers$89,370$42.97500.77
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$43,060$20.70500.81
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$73,920$35.54500.19
Dentists, General$130,000$62.50500.48
Dietitians and Nutritionists$69,730$33.53500.76
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$81,110$38.99500.70
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars$35,950$17.29501.69
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$40,810$19.62500.56
Procurement Clerks$42,670$20.51500.98
Couriers and Messengers$33,570$16.14500.79
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$39,470$18.98501.71
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,610$22.41502.01
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$45,160$21.71501.05
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders$40,840$19.63507.96
Parking Attendants$30,540$14.68500.45
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents$97,010$46.64403.32
Funeral Home Managers$45,220$21.74403.51
Labor Relations Specialists$67,840$32.61400.71
Database AdministratorsNot publishedNot published400.67
Computer Hardware Engineers$104,990$50.48400.62
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$98,120$47.17400.49
Materials Engineers$99,530$47.85402.17
Surveying and Mapping Technicians$46,420$22.32400.92
School Psychologists$70,130$33.72400.74
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$59,060$28.40401.50
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$40,370$19.41400.32
Social Workers, All Other$59,780$28.74400.67
Producers and Directors$46,280$22.25400.33
General Internal Medicine Physicians$215,420$103.57400.74
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$46,760$22.48400.27
Medical Equipment Preparers$48,430$23.28400.56
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$60,740$29.20400.50
Detectives and Criminal Investigators$60,630$29.15400.39
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$40,160$19.31401.79
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$28,870$13.88400.17
Real Estate Sales Agents$59,990$28.84400.26
Order Clerks$38,480$18.50400.71
Information and Record Clerks, All Other$42,340$20.35400.36
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing ClerksNot publishedNot published400.23
Boilermakers$66,780$32.11404.30
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians$49,470$23.79401.97
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$53,490$25.72403.05
Prepress Technicians and Workers$36,240$17.42402.11
Gas Plant Operators$49,120$23.62402.57
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$43,670$20.99401.15
Commercial Pilots$91,570Not published401.04
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$44,220$21.26300.29
Personal Financial Advisors$52,600$25.29300.15
Computer Network Architects$90,190$43.36300.22
Computer Occupations, All Other$75,930$36.50300.09
Data Scientists$76,900$36.97300.16
Architectural and Civil Drafters$59,360$28.54300.37
Mechanical Drafters$61,560$29.60300.95
Conservation Scientists$72,600$34.91301.40
Agricultural TechniciansNot publishedNot published302.63
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates$156,550$75.27301.75
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$55,710Not published300.34
Chiropractors$74,030$35.59301.01
Optometrists$103,530$49.77300.85
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$72,160$34.69300.97
Dietetic Technicians$23,040$11.08301.21
Surgical Assistants$67,020$32.22301.79
Occupational Therapy Assistants$60,600$29.14300.75
Medical Transcriptionists$39,280$18.88300.93
Protective Service Workers, All Other$53,260$25.61300.44
Cooks, Short Order$23,030$11.07300.28
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$38,110$18.32300.34
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service$36,430$17.52301.15
Data Entry Keyers$40,220$19.34300.32
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$47,880$23.02300.49
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$57,790$27.78300.28
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$28,480$13.69Not publishedNot published
Community Health Workers$48,230$23.19Not publishedNot published
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$47,650$22.91Not publishedNot published
Firefighters$35,250$16.95Not publishedNot published
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic$37,990$18.26Not publishedNot published
Tree Trimmers and Pruners$38,420$18.47Not 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.