Mechanical Engineer Salary in Lexington, KY
Mechanical Engineers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median $103,820 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $78,351 take-home, or $6,529 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mechanical engineer salary in Lexington, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,010
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,437
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,505
- Kentucky income tax$3,516
- Take-home pay$78,351
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.50% state
Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in Lexington, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,490 | $32.93 | $54,733 | $4,561 |
| 25th percentile | $81,950 | $39.40 | $63,731 | $5,311 |
| Median (50th) | $103,820 | $49.91 | $78,351 | $6,529 |
| 75th percentile | $125,510 | $60.34 | $92,777 | $7,731 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,810 | $67.22 | $102,050 | $8,504 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $103,820 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 mechanical engineer's $78,351 take-home pay has the buying power of $84,349 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 1.6× the national concentration of mechanical engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for mechanical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Lexington, KY ranks #30 of 115 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge, LA | $135,530 | $100,221 | $110,400 |
| 2 | Beaumont, TX | $122,280 | $94,844 | $105,329 |
| 3 | Peoria, IL | $128,710 | $93,013 | $101,953 |
| 4 | Columbus, IN | $127,700 | $94,811 | $101,944 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $168,030 | $112,533 | $101,911 |
| 6 | Augusta, GA | $128,740 | $93,201 | $101,412 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $125,350 | $96,943 | $98,290 |
| 8 | Kennewick, WA | $124,780 | $96,553 | $96,477 |
| 30 | Lexington, KY | $103,820 | $78,351 | $84,349 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 115 metros →
Mechanical Engineer salaries elsewhere in Kentucky
- Elizabethtown, KY — $102,590
- Louisville, KY — $99,290
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Lexington, KY?
The median mechanical engineer salary in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $103,820 a year, or about $49.91 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $81,950 and $125,510.
What is a mechanical engineer’s take-home pay in Lexington, KY?
On the median $103,820 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $78,351 a year ($6,529 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,516 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $104,110. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $84,349 would in a typical U.S. city. Lexington, KY ranks #30 of 115 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mechanical engineer 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) — 17% of a median mechanical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lexington, KY
- Civil Engineer — $103,090
- Industrial Engineer — $101,000