Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
Kentucky's job market centers on manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and agriculture, with Louisville's UPS hub anchoring air-cargo logistics.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED KYNA).
Unemployment
Kentucky's unemployment rate was 4.3% in 2024, slightly above the national average.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED KYUR).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (%) | 4.3 | 4 |
Labor Force
Kentucky's labor force totals about 2.08 million workers, with participation below the national average.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED KYLF).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force (millions) | 2.08 | 168 |
Occupations
Kentucky's workforce is led by automotive manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and agriculture-related occupations.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
Salaries
Kentucky's median annual wage is about $42,800, below the national median.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU21000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU21000000500000003).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage (USD) | 42800 | 48060 |
Remote Work
Remote work in Kentucky remains below the national average, given the state's manufacturing- and logistics-heavy economy.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Remote work share (%) | 7 | 13.8 |
Workforce Participation
Kentucky's labor force participation rate is 59.5%, below the national average, partly due to disability rates in Appalachian counties.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA21).
| Indicator | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Participation rate (%) | 59.5 | 62.5 |