How much does a Physician make in Kentucky?

The average Physician salary in Kentucky is around $270,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Kentucky state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $186,980 annually ($15,582/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Physician in Kentucky?

On a $270,000 salary in Kentucky, your take-home pay is approximately $186,980/year or $15,582/month. Federal tax: $57,704. State tax: $9,332. FICA: $15,984.

Is $270,000 a good Physician salary?

$270,000 is a strong salary for a Physician — above the national median. In Kentucky, demand for this role is active.

How do Kentucky taxes affect Physician salaries?

Kentucky levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $270,000 is $9,332. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 30.7%.

What are the career growth prospects for Physicians?

3% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average). Related roles include: Family Doctor, Internist, Specialist, Surgeon, Hospitalist.

How can a Physician in Kentucky reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Healthcare

Physician Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Average Physician pay in Kentucky

$270,000/year

≈ $130/hour before tax

After tax (single filer)

$186,980/year

$15,582/month · effective tax rate 30.75%

Federal $57,704
State $9,332
FICA $15,984
Take-home

Pay by role in Kentucky

Senior Surgical Subspecialist (UK / UofL)$565,000–$1,385,000+ TC
Senior Procedural$425,000–$885,000+ TC
Senior Hospitalist$245,000–$425,000+ TC
Senior Anesthesiologist$425,000–$725,000+ TC
Senior Emergency Medicine$345,000–$525,000
Senior Family Medicine / Internal Medicine$225,000–$365,000

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$186,980
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$15,582
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$7,192
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$90/hr
Federal Tax	$57,704
State Tax	$9,332
FICA Taxes	$15,984
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	30.75%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Physicians earn the same — not even close

Kentucky's physician market is anchored by UK HealthCare Lexington (~12K, the only OR academic medical center in KY + only KY medical/dental/nursing/pharmacy schools, Markey Cancer Center NCI-designated), UofL Health Louisville (academic medical center, ~8K, James Graham Brown Cancer Center NCI-designated), Norton Healthcare Louisville (~17K, largest KY health system by employee count), Baptist Health KY (multi-hospital Catholic system, ~22K), Owensboro Health, Pikeville Medical Center, plus St. Elizabeth Healthcare Northern KY (Cincinnati metro spillover).

Senior Surgical Subspecialist (UK / UofL)

$565,000–$1,385,000+ TC

UK + UofL cardiothoracic + neurosurgery + transplant + Markey + Brown Cancer · academic + RVU

Senior Procedural

$425,000–$885,000+ TC

Cardiology + GI + interventional radiology · procedure-heavy practice premium

Senior Hospitalist

$245,000–$425,000+ TC

Day + nocturnist hospital medicine · UK + UofL + Norton + Baptist academic + Magnet

Senior Anesthesiologist

$425,000–$725,000+ TC

UK + UofL + Norton + Baptist · subspecialty cardiac + pediatric premium

Senior Emergency Medicine

$345,000–$525,000

UK Level 1 trauma · UofL Level 1 trauma · Norton Children's Level 1 pediatric trauma

Senior Family Medicine / Internal Medicine

$225,000–$365,000

Norton + Baptist + UK + UofL primary care · MGMA-median band

Senior Psychiatrist

$255,000–$445,000

UK Psychiatry · UofL Psychiatry · Our Lady of Peace · Eastern State Hospital · academic + private

Senior Pediatrician

$205,000–$345,000

Norton Children's · UK Kentucky Children's · Cincinnati Children's NKY · pediatric subspecialty

Mid-Career Generalist (5-10 yrs out)

$195,000–$285,000

Post-residency physician · transitioning to senior + specialty band

Resident / Fellow (PGY)

$62,000–$92,000

UK ~750 residents + fellows · UofL ~500 · among US South-Central training programs

Worth knowing: Kentucky operates two NCI-designated cancer centers — Markey Cancer Center at UK Lexington + James Graham Brown Cancer Center at UofL Louisville — making KY one of only ~25 US states with multiple NCI-designated cancer centers, a feature most national physician-compensation surveys understate for the state. Markey Cancer Center (UK Lexington, one of 73 NCI-designated cancer centers, ~$45M annual NIH funding) + Brown Cancer Center (UofL Louisville, NCI-designated) provide substantial KY oncology + cardiothoracic + hematology + transplant subspecialty work — substantial KY-based cancer research + clinical trial capacity. Senior UK + UofL surgical subspecialists clear $565K-$1.39M+ TC. UK HealthCare (~12K, only OR academic medical center in KY, founded 1957, operates Level 1 adult trauma + Kentucky Children's Hospital + Markey Cancer + UK College of Medicine + College of Dentistry + College of Pharmacy + College of Nursing + College of Public Health + College of Health Sciences — the only Kentucky institution granting MD + DDS + PharmD + DNP + DPT + DPS + MPH degrees) anchors KY academic medicine. UofL Health (Louisville academic medical center + UofL School of Medicine + UofL School of Dentistry — KY's second academic medical center) operates Brown Cancer Center + UofL Hospital + Norton + Brown Cancer Children's. Norton Healthcare (~17K, largest KY health system by employee count) anchors Louisville community medicine. KY joined IMLC in 2017. KY's flat 3.5% rate is substantially lower than OR/MN's 9.85-9.9% tops + KY Local Occupational Tax (Louisville 1.45-2.20%, Lexington 2.25%) adds local layer.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Physicians in Kentucky and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Kentucky 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Want to model 401(k), HSA, or pre-tax contributions against your full salary? Open the salary calculator →

Got a year-end bonus, sign-on, or retention payout? See the bonus calculator →

1099 contract work or side gigs? Self-employment tax adds 15.3% on top. Open the 1099 tax calculator →

Selling appreciated assets (stocks, real estate, crypto)? LTCG, NIIT, and state cap-gains all matter. Open the capital-gains calculator →

Key terms:···

Typical Physician Salary by Experience (National)

US-wide ranges, not Kentucky figures. Each link shows the Kentucky taxes on that salary.

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$195,000

/year

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$270,000

/year

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$425,000

/year

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Physician Salary in Other States

Physician Salary in California →Physician Salary in Texas →Physician Salary in New York →Physician Salary in Florida →Physician Salary in Washington →

More on Kentucky

All Professions in Kentucky →

Salaries by profession, top-paying roles by industry, and an economic breakdown for Kentucky in 2026.

Kentucky State Income Tax Guide →

Tax brackets, standard deductions, and take-home estimates for Kentucky in 2026.

Kentucky Paycheck Calculator →

Adjust filing status, 401(k), and city/county tax for your exact 2026 take-home in Kentucky.