Highest paying jobs in Paducah, KY-IL
The best paying occupations in the Paducah, KY-IL 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 13.9% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianPaducah, KY-IL | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $378,880 | $146,100 – $485,100 | 80 |
| 2 | AnesthesiologistsDoctoral or professional degree | $350,260 | $87,810 – $457,570 | 40 |
| 3 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $234,140 | $124,340 – $322,900 | 40 |
| 4 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $148,710 | $59,930 – $348,400 | 40 |
| 5 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $143,940 | $104,480 – $237,490 | 60 |
| 6 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $134,810 | $94,480 – $161,380 | 130 |
| 7 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $132,660 | $61,660 – $281,490 | 130 |
| 8 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $130,300 | $79,150 – $200,020 | 80 |
| 9 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $124,990 | $53,830 – $178,210 | 60 |
| 10 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $124,200 | $99,790 – $151,380 | 110 |
| 11 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $117,840 | $57,450 – $166,830 | 70 |
| 12 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $114,460 | $74,990 – $206,230 | 130 |
| 13 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $113,380 | $71,060 – $194,630 | 110 |
| 14 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $109,890 | $56,170 – $181,440 | 60 |
| 15 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $106,820 | $59,990 – $168,340 | 50 |
| 16 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $105,460 | $58,470 – $211,580 | 210 |
| 17 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $102,270 | $70,760 – $178,240 | 80 |
| 18 | Civil EngineersBachelor's degree | $100,950 | $67,110 – $222,750 | 80 |
| 19 | Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree | $99,330 | $73,780 – $121,530 | 80 |
| 20 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $99,260 | $62,680 – $155,570 | 140 |
| 21 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $98,130 | $81,100 – $119,650 | 110 |
| 22 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $97,660 | $67,760 – $189,960 | 90 |
| 23 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $97,470 | $51,680 – $162,360 | 40 |
| 24 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $96,960 | $59,980 – $163,680 | 150 |
| 25 | Management AnalystsBachelor's degree | $96,080 | $54,940 – $144,640 | 60 |
| 26 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $95,940 | $59,040 – $124,440 | 50 |
| 27 | Computer Systems AnalystsBachelor's degree | $94,550 | $59,390 – $127,980 | 80 |
| 28 | Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree | $94,250 | $73,930 – $115,700 | 50 |
| 29 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $94,060 | $61,420 – $151,490 | 90 |
| 30 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree | $92,460 | $45,480 – $157,120 | 40 |
| 31 | Occupational Health and Safety SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $91,740 | $70,400 – $134,170 | 80 |
| 32 | First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $87,030 | $56,340 – $135,390 | 290 |
| 33 | Cost EstimatorsBachelor's degree | $82,610 | $49,650 – $125,180 | 80 |
| 34 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $82,120 | $46,340 – $95,380 | 380 |
| 35 | Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree | $80,480 | $48,400 – $114,920 | 30 |
| 36 | Registered NursesBachelor's degree | $79,920 | $65,200 – $101,280 | 1,720 |
| 37 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $79,610 | $60,630 – $97,400 | 90 |
| 38 | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersBachelor's degree | $79,340 | $61,600 – $143,880 | 40 |
| 39 | Sheet Metal WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $79,020 | $38,620 – $85,630 | 70 |
| 40 | Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine SpecialistsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,900 | $45,760 – $102,330 | 190 |
| 41 | Network and Computer Systems AdministratorsBachelor's degree | $78,690 | $45,970 – $134,590 | 50 |
| 42 | Healthcare Social WorkersMaster's degree | $78,660 | $43,560 – $86,350 | 70 |
| 43 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,510 | $47,470 – $101,890 | 70 |
| 44 | Construction and Building InspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $78,360 | $35,860 – $99,210 | 40 |
| 45 | Project Management SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $78,090 | $48,320 – $125,560 | 280 |
| 46 | Career/Technical Education Teachers, PostsecondaryBachelor's degree | $77,170 | $50,340 – $86,010 | 80 |
| 47 | Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree | $76,100 | $57,650 – $93,150 | 80 |
| 48 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $76,020 | $48,980 – $121,690 | 220 |
| 49 | General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree | $75,470 | $40,090 – $168,330 | 1,440 |
| 50 | Radiologic Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree | $75,200 | $52,000 – $99,700 | 120 |