How to Become a Bookkeeper in Kentucky (2026)

Q: How much do bookkeepers earn in Kentucky?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), bookkeepers in Kentucky earned a median annual wage of approximately $46,550. Employment concentration in Kentucky is about 1.33 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in Kentucky?

Kentucky currently employs approximately 23,480 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -5.8% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Kentucky bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earn a median annual wage of $46,550 ($22.38/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 23,480 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -8.1% below the national median of $50,670 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $46,550 ($22.38/hr)
25th percentile: $37,450 per year
75th percentile: $56,610 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $66,930 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $30,090 per year
Workers employed in Kentucky: 23,480
Versus national median: -8.1% below the U.S. median of $50,670
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.33 - this occupation is more concentrated in Kentucky than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Kentucky employs about 23,480 bookkeepers earning a median $46,550 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most bookkeepers train through an approved program before entering the field in Kentucky.

Compare Bookkeeper Schools in Kentucky

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	University of Cincinnati-Clermont College	58.7	Contact school for pricing	$72,188	24%	Yes*	111 mi
2	Pellissippi State Community College	54.3	Contact school for pricing	$45,692	Not reported	Yes*	148 mi
3	University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College	51.3	Contact school for pricing	$72,188	16%	Yes*	114 mi
4	Cincinnati State Technical and Community College	50.7	Contact school for pricing	$59,235	18%	Yes*	106 mi
5	Vincennes University	48.2	Contact school for pricing	$54,333	37%	Yes*	136 mi
6	South College	45.9	Contact school for pricing	Not reported	Not reported	Yes*	143 mi
7	Sullivan University	43.9	Contact school for pricing	$53,068	56%	Yes*	37 mi
8	Nashville State Community College	39.5	Contact school for pricing	$48,592	Not reported	Yes*	140 mi
9	Southern State Community College	37.6	Contact school for pricing	$48,360	31%	Yes*	139 mi
10	Interactive College of Technology-Newport	31.8	Contact school for pricing	$34,836	36%	Yes*	103 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Kentucky employs approximately 23,480 bookkeepers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,550 ¹. The state’s concentration of bookkeeper jobs is 1.33x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170,000 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Bookkeeper in Kentucky, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school or community college
Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
Median wage (Kentucky): $46,550 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Bookkeeper in Kentucky

How to become a Bookkeeper in Kentucky? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for bookkeepers in Kentucky.

How long does it take? bookkeeper training length in Kentucky varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

What do bookkeepers earn in Kentucky? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Kentucky is $46,550 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,090 and experienced professionals can earn $66,930 or more ¹.

How to Become a Bookkeeper in Kentucky

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Kentucky training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved bookkeeper program in Kentucky that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to bookkeepers in Kentucky before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Bookkeeper Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks wages in Kentucky vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Cincinnati	9,050	$49,590	$52,410	$36,620	$70,980
Louisville/Jefferson County	7,730	$47,990	$49,660	$30,360	$69,850
Lexington-Fayette	3,120	$48,000	$49,780	$30,700	$68,770
Huntington-Ashland	1,550	$42,720	$44,790	$31,630	$60,010
Clarksville	1,000	$46,280	$46,590	$30,840	$61,110
Bowling Green	900	$44,160	$46,300	$29,910	$63,600
Paducah	610	$46,310	$48,740	$32,130	$66,620
Elizabethtown	560	$43,830	$45,870	$30,480	$63,420
Owensboro	560	$46,430	$48,150	$31,200	$67,220

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in Kentucky? Kentucky currently employs approximately 23,480 bookkeepers ¹. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Kentucky? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Kentucky.

How much do bookkeepers earn in Kentucky compared to the national average? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Kentucky is $46,550, which is $2,660 below the national median of $49,210 according to BLS data ¹.

In Kentucky

Best Trade Schools in Kentucky (2026)

Top local programs

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)