Bourbon, basketball, and horse racing aren’t the only amazing things about Kentucky. With an up-and-coming remote work scene, you can race ahead of the competition in the Bluegrass State. Use these Kentucky Remote Work Resources to jump-start your Kentucky remote job search process.
About Kentucky
At the convergence of the South, Midwest, and Appalachia lies Kentucky, known for its eclectic culture that’s a product of its geographic location and diverse population. Thanks to its renowned navigable waterways, Kentucky boasts more shoreline than any other contiguous state and is also home to Mammoth Cave, which is the longest cave system in the world.
Between banjos, bourbon, and basketball, the Bluegrass State offers a mix of activities, foods, and sports that few other states can rival. A testament to the broad ethnic and racial background of the state is seen in its notable residents, including actress Jennifer Lawrence, musician Loretta Lynn, Rose Will Monroe aka “Rosie the Riveter”, Muhammad Ali, Hunter S. Thompson, George Clooney, Johnny Depp, and Tom Cruise. The Commonwealth of Kentucky is also the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.
For basketball enthusiasts and lovers of fine spirits, Kentucky is the holy grail. Boasting college basketball’s most-storied team—the University of Kentucky—and their rival—the University of Louisville—there’s no atmosphere quite like a game between these two programs. Several of the world’s top bourbon producers also call Kentucky home, giving you a chance to savor Kentucky’s most famous export. Distilleries such as Jim Beam, Four Roses, Woodford Reserve, and Buffalo Trace provide ample opportunities to sample Kentucky’s world-renowned nectar. Throw in the pageantry of the two most exciting minutes in sports at the Kentucky Derby, and the Bluegrass State showcases a culture that must be experienced to be believed.
“I am more than just a serious basketball fan. I am a life-long addict. I was addicted from birth, in fact, because I was born in Kentucky and I learned, early on, that Habitual Domination was a natural way of life.” – Hunter S. Thompson, American journalist
Five Fast Facts About Working in Kentucky
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kentucky has an unemployment rate of 4.3% as of Dec. 2019.
The main area of economic and population growth in Kentucky remains the Golden Triangle, which encompasses the area between Lexington, Louisville, and Northern Kentucky (Covington, KY, and Cincinnati, OH).
The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy estimates that job growth in the metro areas of Kentucky has grown substantially over the past 10 years, while job growth in rural Kentucky has stagnated.
The top-growing industry from 2018 to 2019 was manufacturing, which added 2,100 jobs.
Kentucky Mean Wages
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest report, the annual mean wage in Kentucky is $43,210 or $20.77 per hour. With a varied economy, Kentucky has in-demand and high-paying jobs in a number of industries. Some of the most popular and highest-paying occupations include software developers, marketing specialists, accountants, and veterinarians.
Remote Work Incentives in Kentucky
Kentucky currently lacks any incentives to remote workers or their employers, but the state is on the verge of becoming a more telecommute-friendly place. Both the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet have begun remote work programs that invite current employees to apply. Employees who pass through the application process can work from home one or two days a week.
Another recent development is the opening of a remote career center at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) at Manchester. In collaboration with Teleworks USA, EKU-Manchester has opened a new digital career center that enables students to learn the skills they need to excel in the remote world. The idea behind this program is to bring remote work opportunities to rural areas of Kentucky, giving locals the ability to earn money and succeed in markets with limited jobs or career advancement.
To incentivize new small businesses—and remote or partially remote employers—throughout the Bluegrass State, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development offersa number of incentives for small businesses. These incentives include tax credits, industrial revitalization benefits, seed money for high-tech businesses, and grants for renewable energy companies. In addition, Kentucky has small business loans with reduced rates and favorable repayment terms to help small business owners expand and grow.
Remote-Enabled Companies with Hubs in Kentucky
Although Kentucky may lag behind high-tech states on the coasts, employers are recognizing the importance of a diversified workforce. As a result, Kentucky-based companies, entrepreneurs, startups, and remote workers are finding a mutually beneficial relationship living in the state. Check out these telecommute-friendly Kentucky companies to discover if you’re a quality fit for one of their available vacancies.
AMR Management Services
Founded in 1997, AMR Management Services is an accredited association management company. The Lexington-based business offers financial consulting, IT services, strategic leadership support, and event planning to its clients.
Brown-Forman
Headquartered in Louisville, Brown-Forman is one of the top 10 spirits and wine companies in the nation. Since 1870, they have been distilling, brewing, and distributing brands such as Jack Daniels, El Jimador, Finlandia, and Canadian Mist. Currently, Brown-Forman has 4,600 employees across the globe, making it one of the largest companies of its kind.
Donan Engineering, LLC
Donan Engineering, LLC is a Louisville-based forensic engineering and investigation firm. Using high-tech forensic methods, the company provides unbiased results on fire investigations, crime scenes, and component testing, and litigation support.
Galen College of Nursing
Galen College of Nursing is the official nursing school of Humana. Started in 1990, the school provides associate’s and bachelor’s programs in nursing, as well as specialized LPN, CNA, and RN certifications.
Humana
Listed as one of the Top 25 Companies that will let you work from home by CNBC, Humana is a health insurance company with over 41,000 employees and revenue of $41.3 billion. The Louisville-based company also ranked #56 on the list of Fortune 500 companies, making it the highest-ranked firm by revenue in Kentucky.
Lexmark International, Inc.
Lexmark International, Inc. is a Lexington-based company that manufactures imaging products and laser printers. With over 9,000 employees around the globe and revenues of $3.7 billion, it’s one of the largest American-based manufacturers of external hardware output devices.
PharMerica Corporation
Founded in 2007, PharMerica Corporation is a Fortune 1000 company that specializes in institutional pharmacy services. The company currently has over 330,000 customers in 41 states, making them the second-largest provider of pharmacy services in the country.
SECURA Insurance
SECURA Insurance is a Wisconsin-based mutual insurance company with major operations and offices throughout Kentucky. The Wellness Council of America recently named SECURA as a Platinum Well Workplace Award winner as voted on by the company’s 700-plus employees.
TriStar Health
TriStar Health is a healthcare organization that provides hospitals and emergency room services for residents of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia. Although they are headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, the company runs offices and healthcare facilities in and around Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Valvoline Inc.
Founded in 1866 in Lexington, Valvoline Inc. is a manufacturer of automotive oils, lubricants, and additives. In recent years, the company has added quick-lube oil-change centers, adding to its portfolio of products and carving a niche in the retail oil-change business.
Kentucky Coworking Centers for Remote Work
While remote work provides flexibility and work-life balance, your home isn’t always a space that’s conducive to productivity. Thankfully, coworking spaces provide a dedicated workspace or office that enables workers to maximize productivity. With networking events, free coffee, a kitchen, and other amenities, coworking spaces are revolutionizing the way Kentuckians work remotely.
You’ll find even more Kentucky remote work resources and stats in our infographic below! You may also view the Kentucky Remote Work Resources Infographic as a PDF, which will allow you to access the URLs hyperlinked throughout the image as well as the links attached to the Virtual Vocations logo and social media icons.
How Virtual Vocations Can Assist You in Your Kentucky Remote Job Search
As more companies embrace the positive, advantageous aspects of remote work, you’ll have more opportunities than ever to find the ideal virtual job. That’s why you need Virtual Vocations. With a Virtual Vocations membership, you have access to a number of unique benefits, including:
A telecommute toolkit.
Over 20,000 vetted job listings.
Resumé and cover letter assistance.
Remote work certification.
LinkedIn profile writing.
Regardless of your profession or expertise, Virtual Vocations can make the Bluegrass State more than just your favorite horse-racing destination. It can turn Kentucky into your next home for remote work.
Are you searching for a Kentucky remote job, or are you a current remote worker in Kentucky? Share your story when you connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook and Twitter. We’d love to know your thoughts about our Connecticut remote work resources!
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