Firefighter Salary in Lexington, KY
Firefighters in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median $36,490 a year — 38% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,340 take-home, or $2,528 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Lexington, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,199
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,262
- Medicare (1.45%)$529
- Kentucky income tax$1,160
- Take-home pay$30,340
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Lexington, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,460 | $14.16 | $24,938 | $2,078 |
| 25th percentile | $34,630 | $16.65 | $28,911 | $2,409 |
| Median (50th) | $36,490 | $17.54 | $30,340 | $2,528 |
| 75th percentile | $46,520 | $22.37 | $38,048 | $3,171 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,170 | $27.97 | $47,001 | $3,917 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,490 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 firefighter's $30,340 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,663 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lexington, KY has 1.5× the national concentration of firefighter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Lexington, KY ranks #127 of 133 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $152,100 | $103,333 | $93,580 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $101,090 | $79,947 | $71,938 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $113,700 | $80,995 | $70,057 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $106,420 | $78,458 | $69,701 |
| 5 | Rochester, NY | $89,120 | $67,308 | $69,365 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $83,310 | $67,439 | $67,206 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $81,360 | $66,067 | $65,404 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $94,080 | $69,272 | $64,941 |
| 127 | Lexington, KY | $36,490 | $30,340 | $32,663 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 133 metros →
Firefighter salaries elsewhere in Kentucky
- Louisville, KY — $45,160
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Lexington, KY?
The median firefighter salary in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $36,490 a year, or about $17.54 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,630 and $46,520.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Lexington, KY?
On the median $36,490 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $30,340 a year ($2,528 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,160 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 38% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,663 would in a typical U.S. city. Lexington, KY ranks #127 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter 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) — 43% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lexington, KY
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $61,720
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $51,510
- Security Guard — $35,400