Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Social Workers currently employed in South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area is 850.
  • Social Workers in South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area earn an average of $40,890 per year or $19.66 per hour.
  • The percentage of Kentucky Social Workers who work in South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area is 13%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Social Workers who work in South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area is less than 1%.

Rankings for South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area

  • Ranks #6 in Kentucky for salary and #7 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #4 in Kentucky for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #466 in the nation for salary and #476 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #73 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Kentucky

South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area Social Workers earn an average of $40,890 or $19.66 per hour which is 5% less than the Kentucky average salary of $43,440.

AverageSouth Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan AreaKentucky% Difference
Hourly Wage$19.66$20.89-5.89%
Annual Salary$40,890$43,440-5.87%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area Social Workers earn an average of $40,890 or $19.66 per hour which is 25% less than the U.S. average salary of $54,880.

AverageSouth Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan AreaU.S.%
Hourly Wage$19.66$26.39-25.50%
Annual Salary$40,890$54,880-25.49%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Social Workers in South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area earns an average annual salary of $47,535 which compares to the Kentucky average annual salary of $43,440. per year.

Cost-of-living in South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area is 14% less than the Kentucky average, which means South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to Kentucky average.

  • Kentucky average salary is $43,440.
  • Kentucky cost-of-living adjusted salary is $48,385.
  • South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area average salary is $40,890.
  • South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area cost-of-living adjusted salary is $47,535.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area$40,89086.02%$47,535
Kentucky$43,44089.78%$48,385
U.S.$54,880$54,880
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area, 50% of Social Workers earn between $33,070 and $46,030 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Social Workers earn more than $51,670, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Social Workers.

Approximately 10% of Social Workers earn under $30,260, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Social Workers.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year85Under $30,260
15%2 – 4 years128$30,260 – $33,070
25%5 – 9 years212$33,070 – $38,570
25%10 – 14 years212$38,570 – $46,030
15%15 – 20 years128$38,570 – $51,670
10%20+ years85Above $51,670
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $40,890, South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area Social Workers tend to earn less than Psychology Teachers ($64,200), School Psychologists ($60,730), Marriage and Family Therapists ($58,850), Health Care Social Workers ($51,860), and Substance Abuse Counselors ($44,890).

TitleAnnual Salary
Psychology Teachers$64,200
School Psychologists$60,730
Marriage and Family Therapists$58,850
Health Care Social Workers$51,860
Substance Abuse Counselors$44,890
Social Workers$40,890
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area Social Workers

The number of Social Workers currently employed in South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area is 850.

Social Workers earn an average of $40,890 per year or $19.66 per hour in South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area Social Workers earn an average of $47,535 per year or $23 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area are Psychology Teachers($64,200), School Psychologists($60,730), Marriage and Family Therapists($58,850).


Additional Salary Reports for Social Workers in Kentucky cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Social Workers: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data