Nursing Assistant Salary in Lexington, KY
Nursing Assistants in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median $39,380 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,561 take-home, or $2,713 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Lexington, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,546
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,442
- Medicare (1.45%)$571
- Kentucky income tax$1,261
- Take-home pay$32,561
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Lexington, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,090 | $15.91 | $27,727 | $2,311 |
| 25th percentile | $36,500 | $17.55 | $30,348 | $2,529 |
| Median (50th) | $39,380 | $18.93 | $32,561 | $2,713 |
| 75th percentile | $44,770 | $21.52 | $36,703 | $3,059 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,930 | $22.56 | $38,363 | $3,197 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,380 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 nursing assistant's $32,561 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,054 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 1.2× the national concentration of nursing assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Lexington, KY ranks #59 of 113 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 2 | Spokane, WA | $47,240 | $40,137 | $39,999 |
| 3 | Des Moines, IA | $43,940 | $36,468 | $39,768 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $51,990 | $43,954 | $39,551 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $56,080 | $45,097 | $39,007 |
| 6 | Milwaukee, WI | $45,690 | $37,663 | $38,853 |
| 7 | Scranton, PA | $43,980 | $36,168 | $38,659 |
| 8 | Las Vegas, NV | $45,350 | $38,619 | $38,536 |
| 59 | Lexington, KY | $39,380 | $32,561 | $35,054 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 113 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in Kentucky
- Louisville, KY — $42,220
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Lexington, KY?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $39,380 a year, or about $18.93 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,500 and $44,770.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Lexington, KY?
On the median $39,380 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $32,561 a year ($2,713 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,261 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,054 would in a typical U.S. city. Lexington, KY ranks #59 of 113 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant 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) — 40% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lexington, KY
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $35,190