๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 94 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Florence, KY

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 27 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$55,998
across 27 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$59,508
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$125,007
1BR Rent
$846
median monthly

Hereโ€™s a surprising truth about Florence: you can make a six-figure salary here and feel like youโ€™re living in a city half the size. The software developers pulling in $125,000 arenโ€™t outliers; theyโ€™re just the most visible part of a quiet, practical economy.

Letโ€™s talk purchasing power. Florenceโ€™s cost of living sits at 94.1โ€”thatโ€™s about 6% cheaper than the national average. That median household income of $68,508 stretches further here than youโ€™d think. A one-bedroom apartment runs you $846 a month. So, that COL-adjusted average salary of $59,508 isnโ€™t just a number on a spreadsheet; itโ€™s a down payment on a comfortable life, especially if youโ€™re used to bigger city prices.

Whoโ€™s thriving here? Itโ€™s a mix. Youโ€™ve got the tech and healthcare roles that pay the mostโ€”software developers, nurses, accountants. But the backbone is the logistics and light manufacturing sector. Weโ€™re talking big names like the Amazon fulfillment center and the industrial parks near the airport. They keep the unemployment rate low at 4.0%, and they provide a steady base of solid, if not spectacular, wages.

Now for the honest take: the catch isnโ€™t the cost of living, itโ€™s the wage ceiling. While the top-paying jobs are strong, the average salary across all roles is $55,998. Wages arenโ€™t skyrocketing, but theyโ€™re holding steady against inflation in a way you just donโ€™t see in coastal markets. For families, especially those with one earner in a high-demand field like nursing or tech, this city is a financial sweet spot. For everyone else, itโ€™s a stable, affordable base.

The data below breaks it all down. Look at the COL-adjusted figuresโ€”thatโ€™s where the real story of your paycheck lives.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Florence

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ -2% vs national

Software Developer

$125,007
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $132,845
โฑ Hourly $60.10/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ -2% vs national

Accountant

$84,556
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $89,858
โฑ Hourly $40.65/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ -2% vs national

Registered Nurse

$84,546
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $89,847
โฑ Hourly $40.65/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$62,543
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $66,464
โฑ Hourly $30.07/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Electrician

$60,460
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $64,251
โฑ Hourly $29.07/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 27 Occupations in Florence

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (94/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $125,007
2 Accountant $84,556
3 Registered Nurse $84,546
4 Elementary School Teacher $62,543
5 Electrician $60,460
6 Real Estate Agent $60,391
7 Heavy Truck Driver $52,150
8 Medical Assistant $49,115
9 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $49,115
10 Paralegal $49,115
11 Welder $49,115
12 Project Manager $49,115
13 Police Officer $49,115
14 Graphic Designer $49,115
15 Data Analyst $49,115
16 Plumber $49,115
17 Dental Hygienist $49,115
18 Carpenter $49,115
19 Physical Therapist $49,115
20 Human Resources Specialist $49,115
21 Financial Analyst $49,115
22 HVAC Technician $49,115
23 Pharmacist $49,115
24 Web Developer $49,115
25 Firefighter $49,115
26 Construction Manager $49,115
27 Marketing Manager $49,115

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Florence

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$846/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,057/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$280,400
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
4.0%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$68,508
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
26%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
94
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Florence?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Florence. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Florence Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Florence, KY?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Florence, KY is $55,998. This is below the median household income of $68,508, indicating that many households rely on multiple earners or other income sources.

What jobs pay the most in Florence?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Florence, KY is Software Developer at $125,007. This salary is more than double the city's average of $55,998, making it a top earner in the local job market.

Is Florence affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $125,007 is highly affordable in Florence, KY. With a cost of living index of 94.1 and a 1BR rent of $846/month, housing costs are only about 8% of the pre-tax salary.

How does Florence's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Florence's cost of living index of 94.1 means expenses are 5.9% below the national average, stretching your paycheck further. For example, a $55,998 salary here has more purchasing power than the same salary in a higher-cost area.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Florence?

โ–ผ
A comfortable living salary in Florence, KY is approximately $68,508, matching the median household income. This amount comfortably covers the $846/month rent and other expenses given the city's low cost of living index of 94.1.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Florence Worth It?

Honestly, Florence works financially if youโ€™re in tech. Software Developers are crushing it hereโ€”$125K raw, $132.8K adjusted for the low 94.1 COLโ€”while the average salary sits at $55,998. Rent at $846/month stretches that paycheck further than most mid-sized cities. If youโ€™re in healthcare or trades, youโ€™ll live comfortably, but you wonโ€™t see the same financial upside. My verdict? Florence is worth it if youโ€™re a developer or any role that can tap into that tech premium. For everyone else, itโ€™s a solid, affordable base, not a gold rush. If youโ€™re considering the move, negotiate remote or hybrid optionsโ€”Cincinnatiโ€™s right there if you need to level up your salary.

Explore Florence Further