NAICS 62

Healthcare and Social Assistance in Kentucky: 2026 Market Risk Report

Entry risk 54.4 (Elevated), ranked #48 of 51 states. 24,349 establishments, 283,710 jobs.

Entry Risk Assessment

Entry Risk Score 54.4
Low 0-30
Moderate 30-42
Elevated 42-55
High 55+
Elevated

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national healthcare and social assistance average.

The healthcare and social assistance sector in Kentucky is tracking close to the U.S. baseline, with no extreme signals in volatility, saturation, or wage pressure. Entry conditions are within the national median range.

5-Year Firm Retention
5.9%
Percentile within industry
Rank #49 of 51 states
Growth Momentum
42.2
Scale of 0-100
Rank #25 of 51 states
Establishment Density
16.2
vs. national average
Rank #38 of 51 states
Market Volatility
27.5
Lower is more stable
Wage Pressure Index
26.4
Labor cost pressure

24,349 Establishments in Kentucky

24,349
Establishments
+4.7% YoY
283,710
Total Employment
+3.8% YoY
$62,742
Average Annual Wage
+1.9% YoY

Kentucky vs National Healthcare and Social Assistance Average

How Kentucky's healthcare and social assistance market compares to the national average across all 51 states.

Metric KY National Difference
Entry Risk Score 54.4 40.5 +13.9
5-Year Retention 5.9% 51.0% -45.1
Growth Momentum 42.2 46.8 -4.6
Market Volatility 27.5 27.8 -0.3
Establishment Density 16.2 12.9 +3.3
Wage Pressure 26.4 49.0 -22.6

Green = favorable vs national average. Red = less favorable. Metrics are relative within healthcare and social assistance only.

Kentucky Ranks #48 of 51 for Healthcare and Social Assistance

Kentucky ranks #48 out of 51 states for healthcare and social assistance market entry conditions.

Healthcare and Social Assistance Entry Risk by State

Rank State Risk Score Classification
#1 Utah 22.9 low
#2 Nebraska 23.7 low
#3 North Dakota 26.2 low
#4 Iowa 26.7 low
#5 District of Columbia 27.9 low
#48 Kentucky You 54.4 elevated
Entry Risk by State Alaska — 50.3 · #44 Alabama — 43.6 · #31 Arkansas — 39.5 · #24 Arizona — 44.1 · #32 California — 54.6 · #49 Colorado — 46.7 · #35 Connecticut — 30.9 · #8 District of Columbia — 27.9 · #5 Delaware — 44.8 · #33 Florida — 47.2 · #37 Georgia — 43.3 · #28 Hawaii — 50.2 · #43 Iowa — 26.7 · #4 Idaho — 29.8 · #7 Illinois — 43.6 · #30 Indiana — 31.2 · #10 Kansas — 34.0 · #15 Kentucky — 54.4 · #48 Louisiana — 34.6 · #16 Massachusetts — 48.4 · #40 Maryland — 36.8 · #21 Maine — 49.9 · #42 Michigan — 52.5 · #46 Minnesota — 31.0 · #9 Missouri — 55.6 · #51 Mississippi — 38.3 · #23 Montana — 33.0 · #13 North Carolina — 33.0 · #14 North Dakota — 26.2 · #3 Nebraska — 23.7 · #2 New Hampshire — 36.6 · #19 New Jersey — 45.1 · #34 New Mexico — 53.1 · #47 Nevada — 37.2 · #22 New York — 48.2 · #39 Ohio — 40.2 · #26 Oklahoma — 49.7 · #41 Oregon — 55.6 · #50 Pennsylvania — 29.5 · #6 Rhode Island — 36.0 · #17 South Carolina — 31.5 · #12 South Dakota — 31.4 · #11 Tennessee — 47.4 · #38 Texas — 46.8 · #36 Utah — 22.9 · #1 Virginia — 39.9 · #25 Vermont — 36.7 · #20 Washington — 52.3 · #45 Wisconsin — 43.4 · #29 West Virginia — 40.3 · #27 Wyoming — 36.4 · #18
Low Moderate Elevated High

Tap a state to view details

About Entry Risk Score: A weighted composite of firm retention, growth momentum, market volatility, establishment density, and wage pressure. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: February 2026. Next refresh expected: Q2 2026 (BLS QCEW update).

Compare to Another State

How does Kentucky stack up against other states for healthcare and social assistance?

Select a state above to see the comparison

Healthcare and Social Assistance in Neighboring States

How Kentucky's healthcare and social assistance market compares to bordering states.

Indiana 31.2 #10/51 Virginia 39.9 #25/51 Ohio 40.2 #26/51 West Virginia 40.3 #27/51 Illinois 43.6 #30/51 Tennessee 47.4 #38/51 Missouri 55.6 #51/51

Other Industries in Kentucky

Construction → Retail Trade → Accommodation and Food Services → Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services → Finance and Insurance → Real Estate and Rental and Leasing → Administrative and Support Services → Information → Other Services →