Highest paying jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
The best paying occupations in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 7.1% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianLexington-Fayette, KY | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CardiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $558,180 | $75,260 – $610,380 | 140 |
| 2 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $283,730 | $74,500 – $452,650 | 820 |
| 3 | AnesthesiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $273,190 | $65,180 – $453,860 | 230 |
| 4 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except PediatricDoctoral or professional degree | $256,240 | $65,380 – $596,460 | 80 |
| 5 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $242,700 | $207,080 – $271,530 | 270 |
| 6 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $237,650 | $106,880 – $533,710 | 210 |
| 7 | Economics Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $220,690 | $59,990 – $378,850 | 30 |
| 8 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight EngineersBachelor's degree | $208,770 | $99,990 – $375,710 | — |
| 9 | Ophthalmologists, Except PediatricDoctoral or professional degree | $182,490 | $65,240 – $451,590 | 30 |
| 10 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $180,790 | $65,080 – $456,710 | 470 |
| 11 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $179,520 | $79,740 – $515,150 | 270 |
| 12 | Pediatricians, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $165,300 | $65,160 – $338,450 | 250 |
| 13 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $161,450 | $52,280 – $193,270 | 100 |
| 14 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $161,170 | $124,990 – $200,530 | 390 |
| 15 | Emergency Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $148,180 | $65,240 – $316,490 | 160 |
| 16 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $144,160 | $88,460 – $223,610 | 470 |
| 17 | Fundraising ManagersBachelor's degree | $140,090 | $66,310 – $177,430 | 60 |
| 18 | OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree | $139,060 | $78,920 – $276,860 | 40 |
| 19 | Physics Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $138,980 | $57,620 – $214,410 | 50 |
| 20 | Chemistry Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $138,890 | $61,880 – $228,750 | 80 |
| 21 | Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree | $137,250 | $77,860 – $424,710 | 200 |
| 22 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $136,530 | $100,260 – $161,260 | 1,060 |
| 23 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $135,760 | $89,400 – $231,260 | 940 |
| 24 | PsychiatristsDoctoral or professional degree | $132,450 | $74,200 – $361,640 | 70 |
| 25 | Psychologists, All OtherMaster's degree | $130,400 | $83,160 – $150,160 | 60 |
| 26 | Surgeons, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $128,960 | $64,630 – $468,680 | 330 |
| 27 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $128,910 | $84,760 – $197,290 | 140 |
| 28 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $128,870 | $59,900 – $199,570 | 320 |
| 29 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $127,040 | $73,510 – $203,860 | 330 |
| 30 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $124,860 | $63,340 – $248,590 | 950 |
| 31 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $124,230 | $78,630 – $180,370 | 830 |
| 32 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $123,790 | $71,400 – $203,460 | 460 |
| 33 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $123,510 | $79,770 – $167,270 | 1,430 |
| 34 | Computer Hardware EngineersBachelor's degree | $123,370 | $69,950 – $154,460 | 100 |
| 35 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $123,070 | $102,040 – $175,600 | 540 |
| 36 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $122,850 | $79,960 – $207,160 | 270 |
| 37 | Political Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $121,300 | $43,740 – $208,290 | 40 |
| 38 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $114,990 | $56,060 – $164,380 | 160 |
| 39 | Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $113,550 | $88,210 – $211,600 | 30 |
| 40 | RadiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $112,790 | $66,240 – $145,130 | 120 |
| 41 | Public Relations ManagersBachelor's degree | $112,420 | $75,710 – $169,670 | 90 |
| 42 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $112,230 | $52,010 – $187,220 | 300 |
| 43 | Therapists, All OtherBachelor's degree | $112,070 | $50,730 – $136,540 | 80 |
| 44 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $111,040 | $64,130 – $213,600 | 1,040 |
| 45 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $111,030 | $74,240 – $246,990 | 60 |
| 46 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $110,210 | $75,270 – $136,690 | 620 |
| 47 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $109,890 | $64,960 – $202,250 | 1,260 |
| 48 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $109,820 | $65,690 – $181,860 | 140 |
| 49 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $109,070 | $65,140 – $389,320 | 130 |
| 50 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $109,050 | $50,660 – $214,870 | 330 |