Finance · Lexington, KY

Underwriter Salary in Lexington, KY (2026)

Median Underwriter salary in Lexington is approximately $78,200/year — 8.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Lexington

$78,200
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$38
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$3,008
Monthly
$6,517
Annual (gross)
$78,200
vs Kentucky state average
State avg: $74,800
+$3,400
vs US national
National median: $85,000
-$6,800

After-tax estimate

$55,600
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$78,200
Federal tax (~14%)
−$10,948
FICA (7.65%)
−$5,982
Kentucky state tax
~5% effective
−$3,910
Lexington local tax (2.25%)
−$1,760
Estimated take-home
$55,600
Monthly take-home
$4,633
For exact take-home, use our Lexington Paycheck Calculator.
Underwriter salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Lexington
Columbus, OH0.92×$78,200+$0
Detroit, MI0.92×$78,200+$0
Cincinnati, OH0.92×$78,200+$0
Kansas City, MO0.92×$78,200+$0
Corpus Christi, TX0.92×$78,200+$0

Underwriter salaries in Lexington, KY

The estimated median Underwriter salary in Lexington, Kentucky is $78,200/year, working out to approximately $38/hour at full-time, $3,008 per biweekly paycheck, or $6,517/month before taxes. Lexington's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.92× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Kentucky state average for this role ($74,800), Lexington pays about $3,400 more. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Lexington

Of the gross $78,200, you take home roughly $55,600 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Kentucky state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Lexington local tax: 2.25% — significant for Lexington workers

That works out to about $4,633/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Lexington Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Lexington pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Lexington typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Lexington employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Underwriter Salary in Kentucky — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Lexington Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Underwriter salary in Lexington?
The estimated median Underwriter salary in Lexington, Kentucky is $78,200 per year, or approximately $38/hour at standard full-time. Lexington sits 8.0% below the US national average for this role.
Lexington vs Kentucky state — what's the salary difference?
Lexington: $78,200. Kentucky state average for Underwriter: $74,800. Difference: +$3,400 (4.5%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Lexington have a city income tax?
Yes — Lexington levies a local income tax of approximately 2.25% on top of federal and Kentucky state taxes. This affects take-home pay calculations significantly.
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Lexington's cost of living relative to the US average. Lexington's multiplier is 0.92× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Underwriter in Lexington?
Estimate: $55,600/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Kentucky state tax (~5.0% effective), and Lexington local tax (2.25%). For exact numbers, use the Lexington Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.