Dishwasher Salary in Lexington, KY
Dishwashers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median $31,110 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,206 take-home, or $2,184 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median dishwasher salary in Lexington, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,553
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,929
- Medicare (1.45%)$451
- Kentucky income tax$971
- Take-home pay$26,206
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Dishwasher pay by experience in Lexington, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,870 | $10.51 | $18,972 | $1,581 |
| 25th percentile | $27,830 | $13.38 | $23,672 | $1,973 |
| Median (50th) | $31,110 | $14.96 | $26,206 | $2,184 |
| 75th percentile | $35,410 | $17.02 | $29,510 | $2,459 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,960 | $17.29 | $29,933 | $2,494 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $31,110 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 dishwasher's $26,206 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,212 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Dishwasher jobs are about as common in Lexington, KY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.09).
Best-paying cities for dishwashers, adjusted for cost of living
Lexington, KY ranks #69 of 156 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $45,930 | $37,094 | $33,909 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $42,750 | $36,530 | $32,870 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $43,960 | $36,183 | $32,767 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | $34,800 | $29,444 | $31,816 |
| 5 | Atlantic City, NJ | $37,110 | $31,417 | $31,780 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $36,330 | $31,371 | $31,263 |
| 7 | Omaha, NE | $33,810 | $28,688 | $31,212 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $35,360 | $30,592 | $31,195 |
| 69 | Lexington, KY | $31,110 | $26,206 | $28,212 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 156 metros →
Dishwasher salaries elsewhere in Kentucky
- Louisville, KY — $29,770
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dishwasher make in Lexington, KY?
The median dishwasher salary in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $31,110 a year, or about $14.96 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,830 and $35,410.
What is a dishwasher’s take-home pay in Lexington, KY?
On the median $31,110 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $26,206 a year ($2,184 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $971 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a dishwasher?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $34,810. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,212 would in a typical U.S. city. Lexington, KY ranks #69 of 156 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a dishwasher 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) — 49% of a median dishwasher’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lexington, KY
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $36,470
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $36,350
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,970
- Waiter and Waitress — $34,910
- Bartender — $30,640
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,990
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $27,920
- Food Preparation Worker — $27,340
- Cooks, Fast Food — $26,840
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $24,090