Lexington-Fayette, KY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY

In the Lexington-Fayette, KY metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $30,600 ($14.71/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $17,000/year and the 90th was $63,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Kentucky tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,814 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 92.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$30,600$14.71 per hour · $2,550 monthly
10th Percentile$17,000$8.17/hr base
25th Percentile$18,700$8.99/hr base
75th Percentile$47,100$22.64/hr base
90th Percentile$63,900$30.72/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$30,600
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$30,600
Net 84%
Fed 5%
KY 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,814After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,151Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$993Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,492 / yr
Kentucky state income tax$953 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,341 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Lexington-Fayette, KY

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Waiters and Waitresses in the Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (KY)
10th Percentile$8.17/hr$1,417$17,000$15,514
25th Percentile$8.99/hr$1,558$18,700$16,741
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.71/hr$2,550$30,600$25,814
75th Percentile$22.64/hr$3,925$47,100$38,494
90th Percentile$30.72/hr$5,325$63,900$51,405

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Lexington-Fayette, KY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$30,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$71,966Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index92.97.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio42.5%of area median income

Compare waiters or waitresses salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Kentucky:

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Lexington-Fayette, KY

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Lexington-Fayette, KY is $30,600, which equates to approximately $2,550 per month or $14.71 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Lexington-Fayette, KY is $14.71 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $8.17/hour and one in ten earned more than $30.72/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Lexington-Fayette, KY span from $17,000 at the 10th percentile to $18,700 at the 25th, $47,100 at the 75th, and $63,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

On a median gross salary of $30,600, an estimated $25,814 lands in net take-home pay per year ($993 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Kentucky in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,786 (an effective rate of 15.6%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

On the median annual salary of $30,600, gross monthly income is $2,550. After federal, FICA, and Kentucky state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,151 per month (or $993 every two weeks).

Is $30,600 a good salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY?

At $30,600, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 42.5% of the Lexington-Fayette, KY median household income ($71,966). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 92.9, making regional consumer goods and services 7.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.