What is a good paying job in Kentucky? Here are jobs where workers get paid the best

How much do workers make in Kentucky?

According to payroll company ADP, the median annual pay for workers in the commonwealth is $55,200, roughly $3,000 less than the national median annual pay. ADP also found that the median annual wage, which represents the middle value or the 50th percentile of workers' wages, in Kentucky was up 6.4% when compared to last year, a larger pay increase than what was seen nationally.

However, according to data from the Kentucky Center for Statistics, the average annual wage for workers in Kentucky is $51,490, falling slightly below the median annual wage.

Uric Dufrene, the Sanders Chair in Business at Indiana University Southeast, told the Courier Journal there is a strong correlation between the education required and the average wages an individual is likely to make, especially in the highest-paid jobs since most of these careers are highly specialized and require secondary education.

“The key takeaway is the relationship between annual earnings and the education and skills required for the occupation or industry,” Dufrene said. “In general, the higher wages are in industries that require higher levels of skills and education. Wage levels in specific industries also reflect the supply and demand for labor in that particular industry.”

So, what are the best jobs and industries in Kentucky to work in to maximize pay? Here's what we found.

What are the top 10 highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data that looks at annual median wage, the top jobs in the commonwealth are concentrated in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics career fields. Here’s a snapshot of the 10 highest median annual wage jobs across the state:

1. Family medicine physicians: $215,210

2. General pediatrics: $210,000

3. Nuclear engineers: $192,380

4. Chief executives: $157,790

5. Judges: $139,650

6. General dentists: $135,390

7. Medical dosimetrists (part of a radiation oncology team): $133,420

8. Podiatrists: $132,160

9. Pharmacists: $129,690

10. Architectural and engineering managers: $128,760

What are the 10 lowest-paying jobs in Kentucky?

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data that looks at annual median wage, the lowest-paid jobs in the commonwealth typically don’t require advanced education. Here’s a snapshot of the 10 lowest median annual wage jobs across the state:

1. Animal breeders: $20,960

2. Amusement and recreation attendants: $21,050

3. Waiters and waitresses: $21,060

4. Physical therapist aides: $21,310

5. Textile machine workers: $21,720

6. Fast food cooks: $21,970

7. Ushers, lobby attendants and ticket takers: $22,240

8. Motor vehicle operators: $22,340

9. School bus monitors: $22,390

10. Bailiff (a legal officer, often in a courtroom): $22,500

What are the top 10 occupations in the Louisville area?

According to the Kentucky Center for Statistics, in the KentuckianWorks region, which includes Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties, the top jobs based on the average annual wage are almost all representative of the medical field. Here’s a look at the top 10 highest average annual wage jobs in this region:

1. Orthopedic surgeons (not including pediatric): $430,464

2. All other surgeons: $417,073

3. Radiologists: $408,912

4. Anesthesiologists: $372,308

5. General internal medicine physicians: $370,308

6. All other physicians: $310,914

7. Psychiatrists: $307,262

8. Obstetrics and gynecologists: $292,355

9. Chief executives: $267,612

10. Family medicine physicians: $252,688

What is the top job and wage based on education level in Kentucky?

According to data from the Kentucky Center for Statistics, here is a look at the average annual wage for the highest-paid job in each category of educational attainment that data is collected for in Kentucky:

• No formal education: Pipelayers, $66,500

• High school diploma: Gambling managers, $123,230

• Some college, but no degree: Computer user support specialists, $52,890

• Associate’s degree: Air Traffic Controllers, $114,600

• Postsecondary nondegree award: Commercial pilots, $131,810

• Bachelor’s degree: Chief executive, $206,610

• Master’s degree: Nurse Anesthetist, $235,260

• Doctoral or professional degree: Orthopedic surgeons (not including pediatric), $410,760

What are the best-paid job industries in Kentucky?

According to data from the Kentucky Center for Statistics, here is a look at the top 10 highest-paid job industries based on average annual wage in Jefferson County. The highest-paid job industries in Jefferson County mirror the highest-paid job industries across the state, with the average annual wage in Jefferson County being roughly $10,000 more than the state average:

1. Management of companies and enterprises: $130,901

2. Utilities: $118,089

3. Finance and insurance: $101,611

4. Mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction: $93,692

5. Wholesale trade: $84,347

6. Professional, scientific and technical services: $84,063

7. Information: $80,227

8. Manufacturing: $75,414

9. Transportation and warehousing: $74,660

10. Construction: $70,027

Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on Twitter at @oliviamevans_.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Take a look at the highest and lowest paying jobs in Kentucky