How Much Does a Rad Tech Make in Kentucky in 2026?

A typical Rad Tech in Kentucky earns about $33.50 per hour, or $69,670 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down further, that comes to roughly $5,806 a month and about $1,340 a week, based on the annual figure. These figures cover technologists across hospitals, imaging centers, and clinics statewide.

Kentucky's typical pay sits 13% below the national figure of $80,110 a year, and the state ranks 42nd out of 51 states and D.C. for Rad Tech earnings. About 3,630 Rad Techs work across Kentucky, a workforce large enough to shape pay figures statewide. Lower pay compared with the national figure often lines up with a lower cost of living in the state.

Entry-level positions in Kentucky typically offer around $24.87 an hour ($51,740 a year) for Rad Techs just starting out. Pay tends to move up from there, with many technologists reaching a typical figure near $33.50 an hour within a few years on the job. Newer techs usually work in general radiography before adding specialized imaging skills that support higher pay.

Experienced Rad Techs in Kentucky often earn upwards of $39.12 an hour, or about $81,370 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $99,170 annually. That leaves an entry-to-top spread of $47,430 across the field. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where a given technologist lands within that range.

Kentucky Rad Tech pay has risen steadily since 2019, climbing from $51,350 to $69,670 in 2025. That's a gain of $18,320, or 36%, over that span. The increase came gradually, year after year, rather than in one large jump. Each year from 2019 through 2025 posted a higher figure than the one before it.

That pace of growth outpaces the national increase of 32% over the same period, even though Kentucky's pay remains below the national figure today. Rad Techs entering the field in Kentucky now are stepping into a role where pay has moved up consistently in recent years. That trend describes what has already happened; it promises nothing about the years ahead.

Pay runs highest in Ashland, where Rad Techs typically earn $79,090 a year ($38.03 an hour), about 14% above the state figure. Fayette and Lexington follow closely, both at $79,010 a year. Louisville, the state's largest employer of Rad Techs, pays somewhat less at $76,860 a year, though it still ranks among the higher-paying areas. These figures cover each city's full metro area.

Owensboro pays the least among Kentucky's tracked cities, with Rad Techs typically earning $63,010 a year, or $30.29 an hour. That's a spread of $16,080 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities in the state. Louisville employs the most Rad Techs of any Kentucky city, with about 1,200 working there, more than three times Ashland's workforce of 360.

Kentucky's Rad Tech pay trails most of its neighbors. Virginia pays the most nearby, at $80,670 a year, 16% above Kentucky's figure, and Illinois follows at $79,930, about 15% higher. Tennessee is the exception, paying $64,630 a year, 7% below Kentucky's figure. Radiologic technologist licensure earned in one state can often be endorsed or transferred into a neighboring state, which can simplify a move across state lines.

Rad Techs in Kentucky typically earn $69,670 a year, a figure that has risen 36% since 2019. Pay varies by city and experience level, with entry-level positions starting lower and experienced technologists earning well above the state figure. Readers considering the field can check Kentucky's licensing or registry requirements through the state's radiologic technology board, and compare local pay in cities such as Louisville, Lexington, and Ashland.