Lawyer Salary in Lexington, KY
Lawyers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median $111,040 a year — 30% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $83,178 take-home, or $6,931 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median lawyer salary in Lexington, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$15,599
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,884
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,610
- Kentucky income tax$3,769
- Take-home pay$83,178
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.50% state
Lawyer pay by experience in Lexington, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,130 | $30.83 | $51,582 | $4,298 |
| 25th percentile | $81,990 | $39.42 | $63,758 | $5,313 |
| Median (50th) | $111,040 | $53.38 | $83,178 | $6,931 |
| 75th percentile | $162,710 | $78.23 | $116,901 | $9,742 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $213,600 | $102.69 | $151,585 | $12,632 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $111,040 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 lawyer's $83,178 take-home pay has the buying power of $89,545 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lawyer jobs are less concentrated in Lexington, KY than nationally (location quotient 0.75), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
Lexington, KY ranks #126 of 149 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $239,200+ | $188,293 | $170,520 |
| 2 | Birmingham, AL | $170,230 | $119,372 | $130,256 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $208,880 | $144,183 | $128,091 |
| 4 | Peoria, IL | $161,150 | $113,580 | $124,497 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $168,510 | $126,443 | $122,653 |
| 6 | Chattanooga, TN | $147,640 | $112,178 | $122,647 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $163,380 | $122,936 | $121,702 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $195,190 | $131,718 | $120,971 |
| 126 | Lexington, KY | $111,040 | $83,178 | $89,545 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 149 metros →
Lawyer salaries elsewhere in Kentucky
- Louisville, KY — $124,530
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Lexington, KY?
The median lawyer salary in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $111,040 a year, or about $53.38 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $81,990 and $162,710.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in Lexington, KY?
On the median $111,040 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $83,178 a year ($6,931 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,769 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 30% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $89,545 would in a typical U.S. city. Lexington, KY ranks #126 of 149 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer 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) — 16% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lexington, KY
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $63,640