Fastest-growing jobs in Kentucky

Mirnes // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +14.0% (180 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,470
--- Employment in 2023: 1,290
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $40,710

#50. Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
No Automated Backlink
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +14.1% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,700
--- Employment in 2023: 4,120
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $81,270

#49. Computer Systems Analysts
No Automated Backlink
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Sunshine Seeds // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +14.5% (640 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,050
--- Employment in 2023: 4,410
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $105,230

#48. Industrial Production Managers
No Automated Backlink
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Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +14.9% (1,940 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 14,980
--- Employment in 2023: 13,040
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $62,980

#47. Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
No Automated Backlink
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GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.1% (3,000 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 22,910
--- Employment in 2023: 19,910
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,330

#46. Nursing Assistants
No Automated Backlink
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.4% (420 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,140
--- Employment in 2023: 2,720
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $61,070

#45. Instructional Coordinators
No Automated Backlink
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Pixel B // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.4% (280 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,100
--- Employment in 2023: 1,820
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $64,620

#44. Tool and Die Makers
No Automated Backlink
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fizkes // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.0% (8,070 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 58,570
--- Employment in 2023: 50,500
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $77,150

#43. General and Operations Managers
No Automated Backlink
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Kzenon // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.0% (750 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,430
--- Employment in 2023: 4,680
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $58,650

#42. Training and Development Specialists
No Automated Backlink
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LightField Studios // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.0% (440 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,190
--- Employment in 2023: 2,750
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,050

#41. Emergency Medical Technicians
No Automated Backlink
Off
Daniel M Ernst // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.6% (250 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,760
--- Employment in 2023: 1,510
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,000

#40. Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
No Automated Backlink
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santypan // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.7% (890 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,210
--- Employment in 2023: 5,320
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $28,590

#39. Bartenders
No Automated Backlink
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Vitpho // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.8% (4,800 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 33,430
--- Employment in 2023: 28,630
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $55,590

#38. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
No Automated Backlink
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Victor Moussa // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.4% (790 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,320
--- Employment in 2023: 4,530
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,140

#37. Firefighters
No Automated Backlink
Off
SritanaN // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.7% (1,570 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 10,420
--- Employment in 2023: 8,850
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $64,060

#36. Industrial Machinery Mechanics
No Automated Backlink
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BigPixel Photo // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.9% (630 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,150
--- Employment in 2023: 3,520
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $53,630

#35. Machinists
No Automated Backlink
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DuxX // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +18.1% (230 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,500
--- Employment in 2023: 1,270
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $31,360

#34. Butchers and Meat Cutters
No Automated Backlink
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shocky // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +18.3% (190 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,230
--- Employment in 2023: 1,040
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,230

#33. Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
No Automated Backlink
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Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +18.4% (190 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,220
--- Employment in 2023: 1,030
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,950

#32. First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
No Automated Backlink
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GaudiLab // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +18.9% (490 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,080
--- Employment in 2023: 2,590
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,000

#31. Paralegals and Legal Assistants
No Automated Backlink
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ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.4% (3,480 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 20,550
--- Employment in 2023: 17,070
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,010

#30. Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
No Automated Backlink
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Avatar_023 // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.7% (540 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,150
--- Employment in 2023: 2,610
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,700

#29. Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
No Automated Backlink
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g-stockstudio // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.0% (420 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,420
--- Employment in 2023: 2,000
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $73,260

#28. First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers
No Automated Backlink
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Ground Picture // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.2% (220 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,260
--- Employment in 2023: 1,040
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $66,250

#27. Dietitians and Nutritionists
No Automated Backlink
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Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.5% (1,420 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,030
--- Employment in 2023: 6,610
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $51,790

#26. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
No Automated Backlink
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wee dezign // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +21.9% (1,270 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,070
--- Employment in 2023: 5,800
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $106,200

#25. Software Developers
No Automated Backlink
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Fusionstudio // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +24.0% (3,230 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 16,670
--- Employment in 2023: 13,440
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,840

#24. Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
No Automated Backlink
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Kitreel // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +25.9% (960 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,660
--- Employment in 2023: 3,700
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,900

#23. Food Batchmakers
No Automated Backlink
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Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.0% (540 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,540
--- Employment in 2023: 2,000
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $62,400

#22. Physical Therapist Assistants
No Automated Backlink
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DuxX // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.7% (2,000 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 9,220
--- Employment in 2023: 7,220
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $43,190

#21. Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
No Automated Backlink
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Noin90650 // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.0% (280 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,280
--- Employment in 2023: 1,000
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,410

#20. Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
No Automated Backlink
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Shift Drive // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.2% (1,820 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,280
--- Employment in 2023: 6,460
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $51,630

#19. Computer User Support Specialists
No Automated Backlink
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Blanscape // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +28.6% (340 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,530
--- Employment in 2023: 1,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $55,920

#18. Conveyor Operators and Tenders
No Automated Backlink
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SatawatK // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.1% (510 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,150
--- Employment in 2023: 1,640
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $55,780

#17. Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
No Automated Backlink
Off
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +31.9% (650 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,690
--- Employment in 2023: 2,040
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,390

#16. Coaches and Scouts
No Automated Backlink
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PIYAWAT WONGOPASS // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.4% (420 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,640
--- Employment in 2023: 1,220
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $104,840

#15. Computer Programmers
No Automated Backlink
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UfaBizPhoto // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.6% (840 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,270
--- Employment in 2023: 2,430
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,040

#14. Sewing Machine Operators
No Automated Backlink
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Zivica Kerkez // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.7% (960 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,730
--- Employment in 2023: 2,770
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,040

#13. Loan Interviewers and Clerks
No Automated Backlink
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Dmytro Zinkevych // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +35.3% (490 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,880
--- Employment in 2023: 1,390
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $73,990

#12. Social and Community Service Managers
No Automated Backlink
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Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +43.5% (730 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,410
--- Employment in 2023: 1,680
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,360

#11. Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
No Automated Backlink
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +43.7% (1,810 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,950
--- Employment in 2023: 4,140
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,570

#10. Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
No Automated Backlink
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wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +51.2% (1,110 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,280
--- Employment in 2023: 2,170
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $239,200+

#9. Physicians, All Other
No Automated Backlink
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DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +59.5% (5,780 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 15,500
--- Employment in 2023: 9,720
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $24,520

#8. Food Preparation Workers
No Automated Backlink
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Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +60.5% (490 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,300
--- Employment in 2023: 810
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $30,750

#7. Library Technicians
No Automated Backlink
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +62.5% (700 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,820
--- Employment in 2023: 1,120
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $106,990

#6. Computer Network Architects
No Automated Backlink
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Kitawit Jitaton // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +78.9% (710 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,610
--- Employment in 2023: 900
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $60,180

#5. Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
No Automated Backlink
Off
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +80.3% (3,020 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,780
--- Employment in 2023: 3,760
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,980

#4. Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
No Automated Backlink
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Bannafarsai_Stock // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +82.0% (1,050 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,330
--- Employment in 2023: 1,280
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $99,620

#3. Construction Managers
No Automated Backlink
Off
LightField Studios // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +128.3% (590 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,050
--- Employment in 2023: 460
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $212,430

#2. Nurse Anesthetists
No Automated Backlink
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Jat306 // Shutterstock

- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +151.7% (880 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,460
--- Employment in 2023: 580
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $65,520

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

#1. Millwrights
No Automated Backlink
Off
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock