Waiter and Waitress Salary in Lexington, KY
Waiters and Waitresses in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median $34,910 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,126 take-home, or $2,427 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median waiter and waitress salary in Lexington, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,009
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,164
- Medicare (1.45%)$506
- Kentucky income tax$1,104
- Take-home pay$29,126
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.50% state
Waiter and Waitress pay by experience in Lexington, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16,940 | $8.14 | $15,085 | $1,257 |
| 25th percentile | $19,040 | $9.15 | $16,741 | $1,395 |
| Median (50th) | $34,910 | $16.78 | $29,126 | $2,427 |
| 75th percentile | $46,760 | $22.48 | $38,233 | $3,186 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,020 | $30.30 | $50,728 | $4,227 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,910 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 waiter and waitress's $29,126 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,356 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 waiter and waitress jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for waiters and waitresses, adjusted for cost of living
Lexington, KY ranks #115 of 375 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $82,550 | $62,160 | $56,823 |
| 2 | Burlington, VT | $61,620 | $50,061 | $49,591 |
| 3 | Bellingham, WA | $56,700 | $47,738 | $46,198 |
| 4 | Bremerton, WA | $55,270 | $46,589 | $44,116 |
| 5 | Mount Vernon, WA | $53,060 | $44,814 | $43,745 |
| 6 | Yakima, WA | $49,060 | $41,600 | $43,539 |
| 7 | Kennewick, WA | $51,460 | $43,528 | $43,494 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $57,280 | $48,204 | $43,375 |
| 115 | Lexington, KY | $34,910 | $29,126 | $31,356 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 375 metros →
Waiter and Waitress salaries elsewhere in Kentucky
- Paducah, KY — $29,280
- Owensboro, KY — $29,790
- Elizabethtown, KY — $30,270
- Louisville, KY — $30,180
- Bowling Green, KY — $28,810
Frequently asked questions
How much does a waiter and waitress make in Lexington, KY?
The median waiter and waitress salary in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $34,910 a year, or about $16.78 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $19,040 and $46,760.
What is a waiter and waitress’s take-home pay in Lexington, KY?
On the median $34,910 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $29,126 a year ($2,427 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,104 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Lexington, KY a good place to work as a waiter and waitress?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $35,230. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,356 would in a typical U.S. city. Lexington, KY ranks #115 of 375 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a waiter and waitress 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) — 44% of a median waiter and waitress’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lexington, KY
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $36,470
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $36,350
- Cooks, Restaurant — $35,970
- Dishwasher — $31,110
- Bartender — $30,640
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $27,990
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $27,920
- Food Preparation Worker — $27,340
- Cooks, Fast Food — $26,840
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $24,090