Salaries › Chief Executive (CEO) › Kentucky
Chief Executive (CEO) Salary in Kentucky (2026)
$86.31 per hour · take-home ≈ $127,691/year ($10,641/month) for a single filer
Kentucky ranks 27th of 47 states for Chief Executive (CEO) pay, with a median about 20% below the national average. Of the 2,070 Chief Executive (CEO) jobs BLS counts in Kentucky, the typical worker earns $179,530 a year — though pay ranges from $72,800 for newcomers to $466,660 at the top.
Chief Executive (CEO) pay range in Kentucky
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $72,800 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $119,990 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $179,530 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $298,750 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $466,660 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 2,070 Chief Executive (CEO) jobs in Kentucky (occupation code 11-1011, “Chief Executives”).
Gross vs. take-home in Kentucky
A median Chief Executive (CEO) salary of $179,530 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Kentucky state income tax, a single filer keeps about $127,691 — an effective tax rate of 28.9%.
| Gross (median) | $179,530 |
| Federal income tax | −$31,821 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$13,734 |
| Kentucky state income tax | −$6,284 |
| Take-home (annual) | $127,691 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $10,641 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Kentucky paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chief Executive (CEO) make in Kentucky?
- The median Chief Executive (CEO) salary in Kentucky is $179,530 per year ($86.31 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $119,990 and $298,750.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chief Executive (CEO) in Kentucky?
- On the median salary of $179,530, a single filer in Kentucky takes home about $127,691 per year ($10,641 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 28.9%.
- How many Chief Executive (CEO) jobs are there in Kentucky?
- BLS counts 2,070 Chief Executive (CEO) jobs in Kentucky in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chief Executive (CEO)s
Other salaries in Kentucky
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Kentucky state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Kentucky.