Cost of Living in Louisville, KY

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.

Salary comparison calculator

What would you need to earn in Louisville, KY to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?

Prices in Louisville, KY vs. the U.S. average

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Rent in Louisville, KY

HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.

Take-home pay in Louisville, KY

Highest-paying jobs in Louisville, KY

*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.

Frequently asked questions

All salaries in Louisville, KY

Management Occupations

• Chief Executive — $213,920
• Computer and Information Systems Manager — $150,710
• Architectural and Engineering Manager — $149,430
• Sales Manager — $137,880
• Financial Manager — $136,970
• Marketing Manager — $136,350
• Managers, All Other — $134,710
• Human Resources Manager — $122,360
• Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary — $115,400
• Medical and Health Services Manager — $112,070
• Industrial Production Manager — $111,440
• Construction Manager — $101,780
• Facilities Manager — $98,090
• Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers — $98,040
• General and Operations Manager — $89,140
• Social and Community Service Manager — $73,940
• Food Service Manager — $72,500
• Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers — $58,980

Business and Financial Operations Occupations

• Management Analyst — $91,560
• Project Management Specialist — $82,660
• Financial and Investment Analyst — $77,700
• Cost Estimator — $77,000
• Accountant and Auditor — $76,320
• Personal Financial Advisor — $72,760
• Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $72,510
• Human Resources Specialist — $71,880
• Compliance Officer — $71,120
• Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $67,270
• Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $65,680
• Loan Officer — $64,460
• Logistician — $63,880
• Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $63,280
• Training and Development Specialist — $63,270
• Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners — $50,020

Computer and Mathematical Occupations

• Software Developer — $110,270
• Information Security Analyst — $106,760
• Computer Network Architect — $101,040
• Data Scientist — $99,980
• Computer Systems Analyst — $97,970
• Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $96,110
• Computer Occupations, All Other — $76,900
• Computer Network Support Specialist — $73,160
• Computer User Support Specialist — $57,620

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

• Civil Engineer — $102,650
• Mechanical Engineer — $99,290
• Electrical Engineer — $97,960
• Industrial Engineer — $95,370
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $60,820

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

• Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $88,270
• Social Science Research Assistant — $82,500

Community and Social Service Occupations

• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $72,910
• Healthcare Social Worker — $68,970
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $59,100
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $50,970
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker — $45,930
• Social and Human Service Assistant — $41,880

Legal Occupations

• Lawyer — $124,530
• Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $61,270

Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

• Postsecondary Teachers, All Other — $83,090
• Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other — $79,050
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $74,040
• Librarian and Media Collections Specialist — $71,260
• Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — $62,340
• Special Education Teachers, Secondary School — $62,290
• Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education — $61,630
• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $61,610
• Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $61,610
• Instructional Coordinator — $60,670
• Teachers and Instructors, All Other — $58,200
• Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary — $43,430
• Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,250
• Self-Enrichment Teacher — $36,250
• Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $36,030
• Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $34,360

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

• Public Relations Specialist — $61,640
• Graphic Designer — $57,340
• Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $35,860
• Coach and Scout — $34,780

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

• Anesthesiologist — $239,200+
• Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
• Nurse Anesthetist — $222,520
• Pharmacist — $143,920
• Nurse Practitioner — $122,900
• Speech-Language Pathologist — $103,420
• Physical Therapist — $102,260
• Occupational Therapist — $100,040
• Registered Nurse — $84,850
• Dental Hygienist — $81,390
• Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $76,860
• Respiratory Therapist — $76,560
• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $64,460
• Surgical Technologist — $63,590
• Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $61,460
• Paramedic — $55,760
• Medical Records Specialist — $53,460
• Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $47,740
• Emergency Medical Technician — $45,210
• Veterinary Technologist and Technician — $44,710
• Ophthalmic Medical Technician — $44,110
• Pharmacy Technician — $42,880
• Psychiatric Technician — $39,620

Healthcare Support Occupations

• Physical Therapist Assistant — $61,830
• Dental Assistant — $49,100
• Medical Equipment Preparer — $48,800
• Phlebotomist — $44,830
• Medical Assistant — $44,450
• Nursing Assistant — $42,220
• Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $35,950
• Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $35,860

Protective Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $95,610
• Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $63,220
• First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $58,310
• Correctional Officer and Jailer — $45,330
• Firefighter — $45,160
• Security Guard — $36,420
• Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $29,870

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

• Chef and Head Cook — $46,310
• First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $38,800
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $37,370
• Cooks, Restaurant — $35,950
• Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $31,780
• Waiter and Waitress — $30,180
• Dishwasher — $29,770
• Food Preparation Worker — $29,640
• Bartender — $29,120
• Fast Food and Counter Worker — $28,690
• Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $28,030
• Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $27,590
• Cooks, Fast Food — $26,990

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers — $48,060
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $37,820
• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $35,000
• Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $33,100

Personal Care and Service Occupations

• Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $45,180
• Tour and Travel Guide — $37,800
• Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $33,620
• Animal Caretaker — $30,830
• Recreation Worker — $30,190
• Childcare Worker — $30,150
• Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $29,220
• Residential Advisor — $25,310

Sales and Related Occupations

• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $115,320
• First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $77,940
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $70,800
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $57,310
• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $55,190
• First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $46,550
• Parts Salesperson — $39,250
• Counter and Rental Clerk — $38,740
• Retail Salesperson — $30,660
• Cashier — $30,560

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $67,450
• Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $63,380
• Loan Interviewer and Clerk — $60,110
• Postal Service Mail Carrier — $59,010
• Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators — $56,390
• Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk — $54,600
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $53,630
• Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance — $51,950
• Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping — $51,330
• Cargo and Freight Agent — $49,480
• Bill and Account Collector — $49,400
• Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk — $48,330
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $47,990
• Billing and Posting Clerk — $47,280
• Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,090
• Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $46,690
• Court, Municipal, and License Clerks — $45,510
• Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $44,430
• Order Clerk — $43,580
• Data Entry Keyer — $43,570
• Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $41,920
• Customer Service Representative — $41,600
• Office Clerks, General — $41,290
• Teller — $38,370
• Receptionist and Information Clerk — $34,520
• Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks — $31,080

Construction and Extraction Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $79,190
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $74,680
• Electrician — $62,440
• Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $61,890
• Sheet Metal Worker — $61,010
• Carpenter — $56,520
• Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $52,700
• Roofer — $49,160
• Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $48,920
• Construction Laborer — $47,420
• Highway Maintenance Worker — $45,570
• Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $45,200

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

• Maintenance Workers, Machinery — $157,260
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $78,510
• Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer — $77,020
• Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician — $76,800
• Millwright — $76,300
• Telecommunications Line Installer and Repairer — $75,610
• Medical Equipment Repairer — $62,990
• Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $62,590
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines — $62,450
• Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers — $61,620
• Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer — $61,570
• Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $61,310
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $58,930
• Automotive Body and Related Repairer — $53,030
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $48,970
• Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $47,440
• Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers — $46,160
• Tire Repairer and Changer — $37,190

Production Occupations

• Tool and Die Maker — $75,250
• First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $75,010
• Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender — $63,490
• Machinist — $60,500
• Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $60,230
• Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $59,220
• Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $59,000
• Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $55,420
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator — $52,230
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $50,870
• Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $50,740
• Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator — $50,640
• Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $50,400
• Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $49,180
• Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender — $48,590
• Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $48,440
• Printing Press Operator — $48,110
• Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $48,070
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $48,000
• Food Batchmaker — $46,540
• Cabinetmaker and Bench Carpenter — $45,830
• Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers — $42,810
• Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $42,510
• Production Workers, All Other — $40,160
• Butcher and Meat Cutter — $37,200
• Baker — $36,430
• Sewing Machine Operator — $32,930
• Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker — $30,240

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

• Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels — $130,380
• Sailor and Marine Oiler — $62,650
• Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — $61,100
• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $60,440
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $59,000
• Bus Drivers, School — $55,640
• Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector — $51,080
• Light Truck Driver — $47,150
• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $46,830
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $46,190
• Driver/Sales Worker — $39,140
• Stocker and Order Filler — $37,610
• Packers and Packagers, Hand — $37,500
• Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant — $36,240
• Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur — $35,920
• Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment — $34,910
• Parking Attendant — $31,520

Other cities in Kentucky

• Lexington, KY
• Bowling Green, KY
• Elizabethtown, KY
• Paducah, KY
• Owensboro, KY

Kentucky paycheck calculator →