Social worker salary in Kentucky
Open social worker jobs in Kentucky post a median of $35.92 an hour, the middle half $33.67–$39.53 (about $74,700 a year full time), $4.08 below the national posted median. From 9 jobs at 3 employers that state their pay.
- 25th percentile$33.67/hr
- Median (50th)$35.92/hr
- 75th percentile$39.53/hr
- Distinct posted rates9
- Jobs stating an hourly rate9
- Employers3
The median is the middle of the 9 distinct rates they post, and the middle half, $33.67–$39.53 an hour, runs from their 25th percentile to their 75th: half of the rates fall between them. Each range counts at its midpoint, and a job posted many times at one rate counts once, so no employer's posting volume sets the figure.
- 25th percentile$33.67/hr
- Median (50th)$35.92/hr
- 75th percentile$39.53/hr
- Distinct posted rates9
- Jobs stating an hourly rate9
- Employers3
The median is the middle of the 9 distinct rates they post, and the middle half, $33.67–$39.53 an hour, runs from their 25th percentile to their 75th: half of the rates fall between them. Each range counts at its midpoint, and a job posted many times at one rate counts once, so no employer's posting volume sets the figure.
- Median posted per hour$35.92
- Hours in a full-time year2,080
- A year, full time$74,700
40 hours a week for 52 weeks, to the nearest $100. An estimate from the hourly rate: no job states it.
- 10th percentile$20.68/hr
- 25th percentile$24.04/hr
- Median$30.81/hr
- 75th percentile$37.34/hr
- 90th percentile$41.46/hr
- People employed in it1,980
Healthcare Social Workers (SOC 21-1022), all industries, Kentucky: the hourly wages BLS measured people employed in it earn, not read from open jobs. Measured and published by BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (source: BLS OEWS May 2025, Healthcare Social Workers, Kentucky).
The jobs themselves: Social worker jobs in Kentucky · Social worker pay nationwide
What social workers are paid in Kentucky
Each bar counts the open jobs posting an hourly rate in its step of pay (a range at its midpoint).
Median $35.92 an hour. Middle half $33.67 to $39.53. Point at a bar for its count. Tap a bar for its count.
Posted on open jobs in Kentucky
Middle half of 9 distinct posted rates (a job posted many times at one rate counted once), median $35.92. 17% of the 54 open social worker jobs in Kentucky state an hourly rate.
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Social worker pay by employer in Kentucky
What each employer posts for social workers here, the employers with the most jobs stating pay first.
| Employer | Median posted | Posted range | Jobs stating pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealth Group | $35.92 | $28.75–$50.30 | 4 |
| CommonSpirit Health | $33.44 | $22.51–$59.26 | 4 |
| Personal Touch Home Care of Kentucky | $65 | $60–$70 | 1 |
Median of each employer's jobs in Kentucky (a range at its midpoint), and its lowest and highest rate here. An employer's name opens its pay for social workers nationwide when it has such a page.
Best-paid open social worker jobs in Kentucky
The open jobs posting the highest hourly rates tonight, at most two from one employer.
- $60–$70/hr
$24.27–$59.26/hr
$28.75–$50.30/hr- $28.75–$43.10/hr
- $25.55–$41.80/hr
What BLS measures in Kentucky
What people employed in the occupation earned in the state, at every level of experience, from the BLS survey. A posting advertises what a new hire is offered.
| BLS occupation | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Social Workers (21-1022) | $20.68 (source: BLS OEWS, Healthcare Social Workers) | $24.04 (source: BLS OEWS, Healthcare Social Workers) | $30.81 (source: BLS OEWS, Healthcare Social Workers) | $37.34 (source: BLS OEWS, Healthcare Social Workers) | $41.46 (source: BLS OEWS, Healthcare Social Workers) | 1,980 (source: BLS OEWS, Healthcare Social Workers) |
BLS median by metro area
- Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN$33.98/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN)
- Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN$33.16/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN)
- Lexington-Fayette, KY$28.53/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Lexington-Fayette, KY)
- Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH$29.89/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH)
- Clarksville, TN-KY$28.47/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Clarksville, TN-KY)
- Paducah, KY-IL$37.82/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Paducah, KY-IL)
- Bowling Green, KY$29.62/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Bowling Green, KY)
- Owensboro, KY$27.19/hr (source: BLS OEWS, Owensboro, KY)
Social worker salary in Kentucky: common questions
How much does a social worker make in Kentucky?
Open social worker jobs in Kentucky that state an hourly rate post a median of $35.92, the middle half $33.67–$39.53 (9 jobs from 3 employers). Full time that is about $74,700 a year. BLS measured a median of $30.81/hr ($64,080 a year) for people employed in the occupation in Kentucky (May 2025).
Which employers in Kentucky pay social workers the most?
Among employers stating a rate on at least three open jobs here: UnitedHealth Group ($35.92) and CommonSpirit Health ($33.44).
How does Kentucky compare with the rest of the country?
The posted median in Kentucky ($35.92) is $4.08 below the national posted median of $40. In the BLS survey Kentucky ranks 29 of 52 by median wage.
Where do these figures come from?
From the pay open jobs state, read every night from each employer's own job board: 9 of 54 open social worker jobs in Kentucky (17%) state an hourly rate. No pay is estimated for a job that states none; "up to" ceilings and weekly travel rates are left out.
Social worker pay in other states
Sources and method
- CareJobs.Now job board: the pay open jobs state, read every night from each employer's own careers site, published 5 Nov 2026
- BLS OEWS May 2025: Healthcare Social Workers (SOC 21-1022), every state, published 15 May 2026
- BLS OEWS May 2025: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (SOC 21-1023), every state, published 15 May 2026
- BLS OEWS May 2025: Child, Family, and School Social Workers (SOC 21-1021), every state, published 15 May 2026
- BLS OEWS May 2025: Healthcare Social Workers, national, published 15 May 2026
- BLS OEWS May 2025: Healthcare Social Workers by metropolitan area, published 15 May 2026
Cite this page
CareJobs.Now. (2026). Social worker salary in Kentucky. Data as of 5 Nov 2026. https://carejobs.now/salaries/social-worker/kentucky