Laborer Salary in Kentucky (2026)
$20.56 per hour · take-home ≈ $35,049/year ($2,921/month) for a single filer
Laborer pay range in Kentucky
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $30,890 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $35,510 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $42,770 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $46,830 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $49,750 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 57,930 Laborer jobs in Kentucky (occupation code 53-7062, “Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand”).
Gross vs. take-home in Kentucky
A median Laborer salary of $42,770 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Kentucky state income tax, a single filer keeps about $35,049 — an effective tax rate of 18.1%.
| Gross (median) | $42,770 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,952 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,272 |
| Kentucky state income tax | −$1,497 |
| Take-home (annual) | $35,049 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,921 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Kentucky paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Laborer make in Kentucky?
- The median Laborer salary in Kentucky is $42,770 per year ($20.56 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $35,510 and $46,830.
- What is the take-home pay for a Laborer in Kentucky?
- On the median salary of $42,770, a single filer in Kentucky takes home about $35,049 per year ($2,921 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.1%.
- How many Laborer jobs are there in Kentucky?
- BLS counts 57,930 Laborer jobs in Kentucky in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Laborers
Other salaries in Kentucky
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Kentucky state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Kentucky.