The Technology Boom in Kentucky: 10 Of the Highest Earning Tech Jobs
Kentucky may be renowned for bluegrass, bourbon and horse racing, but a technology boom is also brewing in the Bluegrass State. Driven by advanced manufacturing, increasing government technology investments, and a thriving start-up culture, top tech talent is flocking to Kentucky for its low cost of living and high salaries.
In fact, tech occupations in Kentucky pay 68% more than average private sector wages, according to data from CompTIA. So which tech jobs boast the biggest paychecks? Here are 10 of the highest paying technology careers in Kentucky and what it takes to land one of these lucrative roles.
Websites are the digital entryway for modern businesses, helping companies engage customers, sell products or provide essential information. It is little wonder so many industries are now searching for skilled web developers to craft cutting-edge sites.
Web developer ranks among the best-paying tech jobs in Kentucky, with median salaries reaching $71,530 per year according to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That is 12% higher than typical web developer salaries across the U.S.
As a web developer in Kentucky, you will get to mesh creativity and coding as you build the structure, layout, visuals and features for websites. Whether revamping a media company’s site or designing an intuitive eCommerce portal for a retailer, your handiwork will be front-and-center.
Companies of all kinds now compete through their online presence, so skilled web developers are in major demand, especially in Florence and Louisville which have emerged as hubs for small tech companies. Candidates with working familiarity in programming languages like JavaScript, PHP and HTML should find plenty of opportunities.
As companies continue embracing big data to guide business decisions, database administrators are becoming invaluable. Why? They are the data gurus keeping track of wildly complex digital information storage and security systems.
In Kentucky, burgeoning tech companies as well as traditional corporate headquarters need these specialists to build, monitor, tune and troubleshoot their extensive databases. That heavy demand allows database administrators to earn fat paychecks, with an average annual salary of $79,295 according to the BLS.
Database administrators need a balance of technological prowess and organizational skills to excel. Hands-on experience with Oracle or Microsoft SQL will be required to nab one of Kentucky’s many open positions. And this is one job unlikely to become automated anytime soon since databases require a human, creative touch to fix problems and improve efficiency.
Salesforce makes up the essential customer relationship management (CRM) platform that companies from tiny startups to Blue Chip behemoths use to track sales, monitor advertising results, fix customer problems and more. It takes a specialist to properly structure such an intricate system and ensure it runs without issue.
That is where skilled Salesforce administrators come in. These customer database experts and problem solvers can command salaries averaging $81,396 per year in Kentucky based on recent hiring data. Tech-savvy businesses across the state desperately need administrative whizzes who grasp the ins-and-outs of Salesforce to support company growth and strategic usage of consumer data.
Salesforce administrators normally need some combination of Salesforce platform certifications and a college degree. Certified Salesforce experts willing to continuously learn new system tools and upgrades should uncover tremendous professional opportunities. And Kentucky presents a particularly welcoming landscape for Salesforce administrators seeking to grow their careers and earning potential.
Connectivity now sits at the core of all business operations and communications. That means talented specialists are required to design and implement the networking infrastructure allowing fast, seamless traffic flow. These professionals are called network architects.
The network architect job requires juggling complex priorities from security risks to bandwidth needs as businesses depend upon smooth network functionality. But the role also comes with major financial upside—typical network architect salaries reach $90,611 per year in Kentucky based on recent hiring data.
To excel as a network architect, you will need a firm grasp of network security and administration principals as well as popular systems like Cisco, VMware and Linux. Certifications such as CCNA or Juniper Networks credentials offer a major leg up. Architects who stay on top of the latest networking advancements and cybersecurity best practices will find tremendous career opportunities across industries. Government agencies and universities are also investing heavily to overhaul outdated networks, so there are openings beyond private sector jobs.
At the heart of most technological innovations lies clever, efficient software. Transforming ideas into functioning code and complex applications requires specialist developers armed with high-level programming know-how.
In Kentucky, talented software developers can nearly write their own ticket given competitive salaries averaging $93,201 per year according to recent BLS figures. Developers here out-earn similar U.S. roles by approximately 8%. Openings span industries from startups to advanced manufacturing.
Though some developers teach themselves, most earn at least a bachelor’s degree in programming, software engineering or computer science. Recruiters typically want candidates with experience coding in C++, Java, Python or PHP. And as companies dive further into mobile technologies, app development skills are highly prized in Kentucky as well.
Data has earned a spot in the business big leagues. Companies rely on reams of statistics to guide strategies around advertising, new product launches, real estate expansions and much more. But most organizations need skilled specialists to collect, interpret and model key information.
Enter data scientists and data engineers. These analytical masters develop systems allowing companies to effectively harness data through statistical models and database architecture. It is complex work, but also extraordinarily lucrative.
In fact, data scientists and engineers in Kentucky can expect average annual salaries reaching approximately $97,716 according to latest BLS figures. Numerous major companies now run sizeable analytics departments including prominent brands in healthcare, manufacturing, insurance and more.
For candidates eyeing those Kentucky data jobs, technical credentials like a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert in data management can help stand out from other applicants. Ultimately though, real-world analytical experience often matters most, so amateur analysts may want to first seek out data fellowships or internship opportunities available through area universities and tech accelerators.
Increasingly, companies now run essential technologies not on local servers but rather leverage sprawling cloud platforms operated by third parties like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure. Maintaining these intricate cloud systems requires a new breed of specialist—enter cloud architects.
As a cloud architect, your core responsibility involves migration of technology infrastructure off physical company servers and into cloud platforms for security, cost and efficiency gains. You will continually monitor system performance as well, to ensure optimal speed, connectivity and user experience.
It is niche expertise, but extraordinarily in demand, making cloud architects some of the highest paid technologists in Kentucky and beyond. Average salaries for cloud architects reach $102,297 or more here based on current job listings and hiring salary analysis.
Major companies like Humana, UPS and Anthem have growing cloud needs—as do government agencies and universities. Top candidates will have credentials like the globally recognized AWS certifications and hands-on cloud migration experience. But talented newcomers have opportunities too through specialty corporate training programs or apprenticeships geared for career changers entering the cloud computing field.
Hardly a week goes by without news of another serious data breach or malware attack on a major company. From retail chains to hospitals to government offices, no entity seems safe. Such rampant threats generate major demand for talented IT security leaders and managers.
In charge of fortifying digital defenses, security managers in Kentucky earn well into six-figures with average pay of $105,201 per year according to the latest salary data. Financial incentives are strong for this critical role protecting entities potentially facing millions lost from an attack. But beyond generous compensation, Kentucky presents a particularly appealing locale to grow an IT security career.
The presence of military bases like Ft. Knox drives exceptional talent and innovation within the cybersecurity sphere as former service members transition into lucrative civilian roles. Plus, educational leaders like UK and U of L have nationally ranked security programs funneling graduates to area employers.
For managers especially, broad IT expertise around common platforms and networks proves vital. Premier certifications like (ISC)2 or CompTIA Security+ qualifications validate credentials to employers. And the work promises to stay interesting with new threats constantly emerging.
Once considered niche research, artificial intelligent systems now power everything from product recommendations on Amazon to financial fraud detection at banks. Kentucky companies both large and small want to tap into leading-edge AI to improve insights and efficiency.
Driving this push are talented AI and machine learning engineers designing and implementing self-learning technology systems. With average salaries reaching $130,287 per year, AI engineering ranks as Kentucky’s second highest paid tech occupation according to latest available salary data.
AI engineers benefit from surging corporate investments as employers aim to keep pace with competitors also pursuing more intuitive technologies. Automotive manufacturers and healthcare companies now aggressively recruit machine learning engineers in the state.
For candidates, minimum credentials often include a Master’s degree specializing in AI/ML course concentrations. Extensive knowledge in programming languages like Python and JavaScript is vital as well to develop new models and algorithms enabling AI to evolve. Engineers who demonstrate creative thinking and analytical skills are well positioned for six-figure salaries at leading Kentucky employers.
The technology chief steering a company’s entire digital strategy surely carries tremendous responsibility on their shoulders. But information technology directors also happen to be the highest paid professionals within the technology sphere.
In Kentucky, IT directors earn well into six-figures with average yearly compensation reaching approximately $136,911 according to the latest salary statistics. Directors here even slightly outpace national averages.
Overseeing sizable teams and often multi-million dollar technology budgets, IT directors are entrusted with keeping all systems running smoothly from databases to IT help desks. At the same time, they identify opportunities for emerging technologies like cloud infrastructure to save money and make operations more agile.
Companies across sectors now aim to become “digital leaders” in their respective industries, making technology chiefs truly mission critical hires. Directors often hold Master’s degrees and have served in other IT management roles before stepping into the top job. Kentucky’s bourgeoning startup culture as well as clusters of advanced manufacturing and healthcare employers offer particularly bright outlooks—and salaries—for IT innovators guiding strategy at the highest level.
The Verdict: A Lucrative Future in Kentucky Tech
Already renowned for advanced manufacturing leadership, Kentucky’s reputation as an inviting locale for technology professionals is growing stronger by the year. High salaries for occupations ranging from web developer to AI engineer demonstrate the ability to earn big while enjoying below average costs of living across Kentucky.
With top universities, an expanding start-up culture and major industry investments in next generation technologies, Kentucky promises to remain a go-to destination for ambitious technologists. Whether just beginning a career or looking to take the next step into a leadership role, know that Kentucky offers specialized opportunities spanning practically every facet of information technology and computer science.
