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Social Worker (government) · Kentucky

Government social worker salary in Kentucky

Government social workers in Kentucky earn a median $59,100 a year across all employers.

$59,100
median pay in KY, all employers
8,470
workers in KY (SOC 21-1021)

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Pay in Kentucky, all employers Sourced

Child, Family, and School Social Workers (SOC 21-1021) in Kentucky, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.

MeasureKY
Workers8,470
10th percentile$39,210
Median$59,100
90th percentile$78,660
National median, government employers$65,660

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Pension in Kentucky

State employees

PlanAccrualNormal retirementEmployee paysSocial Security
Kentucky Employees Retirement System (KERS) Nonhazardous - Tier 3
Tier 3 (Hybrid Cash Balance Plan)
—age 65 with at least 60 months of service credit5%Covered

Local employees

PlanAccrualNormal retirementEmployee paysSocial Security
County Employees Retirement System (CERS) Nonhazardous - Tier 3
Tier 3 (Hybrid Cash Balance Plan)
—age 65 with at least 60 months of service credit5%Covered

The statewide plan a new hire usually joins. Some cities and counties run their own plans; check with the employer. Each plan's formula, vesting, cost-of-living adjustment and retiree health are on the Kentucky pension plans list.

Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.

Free practice tests for Kentucky

Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.

More about this job

Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Social Worker (government) page.

Social Worker (government) in other states

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