Human Resources Specialist Salary in Lexington, KY
Human Resources Specialists in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median $69,990 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $55,736 take-home, or $4,645 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Lexington, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,568
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,339
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,015
- Kentucky income tax$2,332
- Take-home pay$55,736
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.50% state
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Lexington, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,380 | $22.30 | $37,941 | $3,162 |
| 25th percentile | $57,040 | $27.42 | $46,133 | $3,844 |
| Median (50th) | $69,990 | $33.65 | $55,736 | $4,645 |
| 75th percentile | $83,310 | $40.05 | $64,640 | $5,387 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,250 | $50.12 | $78,639 | $6,553 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $69,990 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 human resources specialist's $55,736 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,003 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Human Resources Specialist jobs are less concentrated in Lexington, KY than nationally (location quotient 0.79), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Lexington, KY ranks #77 of 217 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parkersburg, WV | $94,520 | $71,704 | $82,356 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $112,140 | $80,063 | $72,506 |
| 3 | Davenport, IA | $79,670 | $62,502 | $70,165 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $83,810 | $63,615 | $70,044 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $76,550 | $62,449 | $68,723 |
| 6 | Bremerton, WA | $90,290 | $72,349 | $68,508 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $100,830 | $74,162 | $68,111 |
| 8 | Elizabethtown, KY | $78,850 | $61,659 | $68,077 |
| 77 | Lexington, KY | $69,990 | $55,736 | $60,003 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 217 metros →
Human Resources Specialist salaries elsewhere in Kentucky
- Elizabethtown, KY — $78,850
- Louisville, KY — $71,880
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Lexington, KY?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $69,990 a year, or about $33.65 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $57,040 and $83,310.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Lexington, KY?
On the median $69,990 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $55,736 a year ($4,645 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,332 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,003 would in a typical U.S. city. Lexington, KY ranks #77 of 217 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist 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) — 23% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lexington, KY
- Management Analyst — $99,190
- Project Management Specialist — $84,520
- Accountant and Auditor — $77,780
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $77,310
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $76,390
- Compliance Officer — $71,700
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $66,800
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $65,280
- Training and Development Specialist — $59,870