Kentucky's economy has vastly improved since 2010, as unemployment declined by roughly 6% and private investment has increased.

Yet, unfortunately for Kentucky workers, wages have remained largely stagnant.

The median hourly wage in Kentucky, in inflation-adjusted dollars, was $17.09 in 2018, according to an analysis from the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit think tank.

While that is a slight increase from the median hourly wage of $17.06 in 2017, 2018's number is a dip from the $17.19 workers were earning hourly in 2001.

Moreover, this wage might not be enough to sustain a family. The Economic Policy Institute found that someone who works full time, year round at $17.09 an hour would make $35,526 in Kentucky. However, for a one adult, one child basic family budget in Owensboro, Kentucky, the amount needed is $48,472.

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Contact Ben Tobin at bjtobin@gannett.com and 502-582-4181 or follow on Twitter @TobinBen. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: https://subscribe.courier-journal.com.