ConstructionUpdated Q1 2026

Plumber Salary
in Lexington, KY

Install and repair water supply, drainage, and gas systems in buildings. Median salary in Lexington: $60K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$60K
per year
Take-home: $39K

Salary range in Lexington

Entry level (25th)$46,000
Median (50th)$60,000
Senior (75th)$79,000
Top earner (90th)$104,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Lexington, Kentucky. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Lexington

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

12% discount vs national median

Plumbers in Lexington earn approximately 12% lower than the US national median for this role — a $8,000 discount on annual base salary. Lexington's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 88 (US avg = 100).

Rent eats 37% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Lexington ($1,200/mo) consumes approximately 37% of an after-tax median Plumber salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($79K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Primarily on-site role

Only 2% of Plumber positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Lexington salary above represents what local employers actually pay — not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Key facts for Lexington

Median salary
$60K
annual
Take-home pay
$39K
after fed/state tax
COL index
88
100 = US avg
State income tax
5%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,200
per month
YoY growth
+5.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Lexington Plumber to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $60K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Lexington

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Plumber salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$50K$55K$59K$64K$68K201920212023202520272029
2026
$61K
projected
2027
$63K
projected
2028
$65K
projected
2029
$66K
projected
2030
$68K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$60,000+$0
2028 projected$60,000+$0
2029 projected$60,000+$0
2030 projected$60,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Plumber Salary in Lexington, Kentucky: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Plumber salary in Lexington, KY is $60,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Lexington–KY metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Plumber in Lexington

Entry-level Plumbers in Lexington with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $46,000 and $60,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $60,000 to $79,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $79,000 to $104,000 or more.

Cost of living in Lexington for Plumbers

Lexington has a cost of living index of 88 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 12% further in Lexington than the national average. Kentucky has a 5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Plumber

Apprenticeship; journeyman license. 2% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Plumber salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Lexington (current)$60K88
Louisville$63K85
Bowling Green$54K80