Recreation Worker Salary in Lexington, KY
Recreation Workers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median $32,720 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,443 take-home, or $2,287 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median recreation worker salary in Lexington, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,746
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,029
- Medicare (1.45%)$474
- Kentucky income tax$1,028
- Take-home pay$27,443
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Recreation Worker pay by experience in Lexington, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,280 | $12.63 | $22,449 | $1,871 |
| 25th percentile | $29,660 | $14.26 | $25,091 | $2,091 |
| Median (50th) | $32,720 | $15.73 | $27,443 | $2,287 |
| 75th percentile | $36,770 | $17.68 | $30,555 | $2,546 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,760 | $22.96 | $39,001 | $3,250 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $32,720 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 recreation worker's $27,443 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,544 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Recreation Worker jobs are about as common in Lexington, KY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.89).
Best-paying cities for recreation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Lexington, KY ranks #71 of 119 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College Station, TX | $47,870 | $40,644 | $44,687 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $57,580 | $46,193 | $41,832 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $45,990 | $39,133 | $35,213 |
| 4 | Duluth, MN | $36,080 | $30,059 | $33,862 |
| 5 | Spokane, WA | $39,260 | $33,725 | $33,609 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $38,230 | $32,898 | $33,547 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $37,460 | $32,279 | $33,506 |
| 8 | Des Moines, IA | $36,150 | $30,505 | $33,265 |
| 71 | Lexington, KY | $32,720 | $27,443 | $29,544 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 119 metros →
Recreation Worker salaries elsewhere in Kentucky
- Louisville, KY — $30,190
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation worker make in Lexington, KY?
The median recreation worker salary in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $32,720 a year, or about $15.73 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,660 and $36,770.
What is a recreation worker’s take-home pay in Lexington, KY?
On the median $32,720 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $27,443 a year ($2,287 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,028 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a recreation worker?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $36,560. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,544 would in a typical U.S. city. Lexington, KY ranks #71 of 119 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a recreation worker 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) — 47% of a median recreation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lexington, KY
- Childcare Worker — $35,100
- Animal Caretaker — $34,590
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $29,230
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $26,940