Software Developer Salary in Lexington, KY
Software Developers in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median $123,510 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $91,480 take-home, or $7,623 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Lexington, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$18,376
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,658
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,791
- Kentucky income tax$4,205
- Take-home pay$91,480
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 3.50% state
Software Developer pay by experience in Lexington, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,770 | $38.35 | $62,274 | $5,189 |
| 25th percentile | $97,680 | $46.96 | $74,247 | $6,187 |
| Median (50th) | $123,510 | $59.38 | $91,480 | $7,623 |
| 75th percentile | $156,180 | $75.09 | $112,666 | $9,389 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,270 | $80.42 | $119,858 | $9,988 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $123,510 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 software developer's $91,480 take-home pay has the buying power of $98,483 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Software Developer jobs are less concentrated in Lexington, KY than nationally (location quotient 0.46), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Lexington, KY ranks #51 of 184 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $213,110 | $140,222 | $126,987 |
| 2 | Manchester, NH | $162,090 | $122,055 | $115,520 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $167,280 | $125,602 | $113,019 |
| 4 | Boulder, CO | $164,560 | $117,211 | $111,415 |
| 5 | El Paso, TX | $127,310 | $98,282 | $109,310 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $166,090 | $116,704 | $107,794 |
| 7 | Ames, IA | $129,440 | $95,471 | $107,476 |
| 8 | Bridgeport, CT | $162,650 | $114,828 | $107,453 |
| 51 | Lexington, KY | $123,510 | $91,480 | $98,483 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 184 metros →
Software Developer salaries elsewhere in Kentucky
- Louisville, KY — $110,270
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Lexington, KY?
The median software developer salary in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $123,510 a year, or about $59.38 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $97,680 and $156,180.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Lexington, KY?
On the median $123,510 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $91,480 a year ($7,623 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,205 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $98,483 would in a typical U.S. city. Lexington, KY ranks #51 of 184 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer 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) — 14% of a median software developer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lexington, KY
- Computer Systems Analyst — $95,500