Childcare Worker Salary in Lexington, KY
Childcare Workers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median $35,100 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,272 take-home, or $2,439 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Lexington, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,032
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,176
- Medicare (1.45%)$509
- Kentucky income tax$1,111
- Take-home pay$29,272
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Lexington, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,030 | $11.55 | $20,675 | $1,723 |
| 25th percentile | $28,580 | $13.74 | $24,261 | $2,022 |
| Median (50th) | $35,100 | $16.88 | $29,272 | $2,439 |
| 75th percentile | $39,550 | $19.01 | $32,692 | $2,724 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,750 | $19.11 | $32,845 | $2,737 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,100 buys in Lexington, KY
Prices in Lexington, KY are 7.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $29,272 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,513 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Childcare Worker jobs are about as common in Lexington, KY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.89).
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Lexington, KY ranks #16 of 171 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Port, FL | $47,300 | $40,186 | $39,237 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $44,320 | $36,549 | $34,552 |
| 3 | Boulder, CO | $43,380 | $35,836 | $34,064 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $45,720 | $37,504 | $33,964 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $43,710 | $37,301 | $33,564 |
| 6 | Modesto, CA | $41,920 | $34,652 | $33,284 |
| 7 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,030 | $28,521 | $32,546 |
| 8 | Las Cruces, NM | $34,270 | $29,210 | $32,379 |
| 16 | Lexington, KY | $35,100 | $29,272 | $31,513 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 171 metros →
Childcare Worker salaries elsewhere in Kentucky
- Louisville, KY — $30,150
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Lexington, KY?
The median childcare worker salary in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $35,100 a year, or about $16.88 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,580 and $39,550.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Lexington, KY?
On the median $35,100 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $29,272 a year ($2,439 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,111 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,513 would in a typical U.S. city. Lexington, KY ranks #16 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Lexington, KY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lexington, KY is $1,079 a month ($1,272 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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