Child, Family, and School Social Workers Salary in Kentucky

Child, family, and school social workers in Kentucky earn the most in Lexington (average $64,090 a year) and the least in Owensboro ($57,430), across the 6 Kentucky metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the child, family, and school social workers average at $59,270 and the median at $59,100 for 8,470 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $64,000.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers average salary by city in Kentucky

Lexington$64,090
Bowling Green$62,910
Elizabethtown$60,770
Louisville$60,380
Paducah$59,120
Owensboro$57,430

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Lexington	$64,090	$63,780	$46,440	$49,788	93
Bowling Green	$62,910	$64,050	$47,550	$49,386	90
Elizabethtown	$60,770	$62,130	$46,080	$47,814	91
Louisville	$60,380	$59,100	$46,080	$47,371	93
Paducah	$59,120	$57,280	$46,080	$46,549	86
Owensboro	$57,430	$58,920	$44,590	$45,410	89

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; includes Lexington's local income tax (2.75%). Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers salary in other states

Child, Family, and School Social Workers salary by city and state

More about pay in Kentucky

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 21-1021.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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