Kentucky Paycheck Calculator 2026

Q: Is Kentucky a good state for take-home pay?

On a $75,000 salary, Kentucky ranks #20 of 51 (50 states + D.C.) for take-home pay, at $59,085 a year for a single filer. Compare all states.

Kentucky Paycheck Calculator

Kentucky cut its flat income tax to 3.5% for 2026. Most Kentucky cities and counties also levy occupational license taxes on wages, such as Louisville at 2.2%. Use this calculator to see your 2026 take-home pay in Kentucky after federal, state and local taxes and deductions.

Kentucky paycheck taxes at a glance (2026)

State income tax	3.5% flat
Standard deduction	$3,360 single · $6,720 married
State payroll programs	None
Local income taxes	Yes — nearly everywhere
Take-home rank ($75k)	#20 of 51

How much is taken out of a $60,000 paycheck in Kentucky?

Single filer, paid bi-weekly, standard 2026 W-4, no benefits:

Line	Per paycheck	Per year
Gross pay	$2,307.69	$60,000
Federal income tax	−$193.08	−$5,020
Social Security (6.2%)	−$143.08	−$3,720
Medicare (1.45%)	−$33.46	−$870
Kentucky income tax	−$76.25	−$1,982
Take-home pay	$1,861.83	$48,408

A married couple filing jointly on $100,000 in Kentucky takes home about $81,445 a year ($3,132.51 bi-weekly).

Kentucky take-home pay by salary

Single filer, 2026, bi-weekly pay. Click a salary for a full breakdown and comparison with every other state.

Salary	Federal tax	FICA	Kentucky taxes	Take-home / yr	Per paycheck
$30,000	$1,420	$2,295	$932	$25,353	$975.10
$40,000	$2,620	$3,060	$1,282	$33,038	$1,270.68
$50,000	$3,820	$3,825	$1,632	$40,723	$1,566.25
$60,000	$5,020	$4,590	$1,982	$48,408	$1,861.83
$75,000	$7,670	$5,738	$2,507	$59,085	$2,272.50
$100,000	$13,170	$7,650	$3,382	$75,798	$2,915.29
$150,000	$24,734	$11,475	$5,132	$108,659	$4,179.18
$200,000	$36,734	$14,339	$6,882	$142,045	$5,463.25

Salary

Federal tax

FICA

Kentucky taxes

Take-home / yr

Per paycheck

$30,000

$1,420

$2,295

$932

$25,353

$975.10

$40,000

$2,620

$3,060

$1,282

$33,038

$1,270.68

$50,000

$3,820

$3,825

$1,632

$40,723

$1,566.25

$60,000

$5,020

$4,590

$1,982

$48,408

$1,861.83

$75,000

$7,670

$5,738

$2,507

$59,085

$2,272.50

$100,000

$13,170

$7,650

$3,382

$75,798

$2,915.29

$150,000

$24,734

$11,475

$5,132

$108,659

$4,179.18

$200,000

$36,734

$14,339

$6,882

$142,045

$5,463.25

Kentucky's flat income tax

Kentucky taxes all taxable income at the same 3.5% rate. Because the rate doesn't rise with income, your state tax grows in a straight line with your pay. Your effective state rate is still lower than 3.5% because of deductions and exemptions.

Local income taxes in Kentucky

Nearly every Kentucky resident owes a local income tax on top of state tax. Resident rates included in the calculator:

Louisville Metro: 2.2% of wages
Lexington-Fayette: 2.25% of wages
Other Kentucky city/county (~1.5%): 1.5% of wages

Non-residents who work in these cities often pay a lower rate. Choose "Custom rate" in the calculator to enter one.

How Kentucky compares

On a $75,000 salary, Kentucky ranks #20 of 51 for take-home pay among the 50 states and D.C. A single filer keeps $59,085 a year, or 78.8% of gross. See the full ranking in take-home pay by state, or browse all state paycheck calculators.

State figures are estimates of your annual Kentucky tax liability, spread evenly across paychecks. Your employer's withholding also depends on your Kentucky withholding certificate, if your state uses one, and can differ slightly.

Frequently asked questions

Does Kentucky have a state income tax?

Yes. Kentucky has a flat 3.5% state income tax for 2026. The standard deduction is $3,360 for single filers and $6,720 for married couples filing jointly.

How much is $60,000 a year after taxes in Kentucky?

A single filer earning $60,000 in Kentucky takes home about $48,408 a year, or $1,861.83 per bi-weekly paycheck, in 2026. That's after $5,020 federal income tax, $4,590 FICA and $1,982 in Kentucky state taxes.

How much tax is taken out of a paycheck in Kentucky?

On a $60,000 salary, about 19.3% of gross pay goes to taxes in Kentucky: federal income tax (8.4%), Social Security and Medicare (7.65%), and state taxes (3.3%). Your exact share depends on your income, filing status and deductions.

Are there local income taxes in Kentucky?

Yes. Local income taxes apply almost everywhere in the state. Examples include Louisville Metro, Lexington-Fayette, Other Kentucky city/county (~1.5%). Pick your city or county in the calculator, or enter a custom rate.

Is Kentucky a good state for take-home pay?

On a $75,000 salary, Kentucky ranks #20 of 51 (50 states + D.C.) for take-home pay, at $59,085 a year for a single filer. Compare all states.