Elizabethtown Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Elizabethtown, KY: $22.01/hr median hourly wage, $45,781 median annual salary, cost of living index 80.5, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Kentucky taxes.
Elizabethtown Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Elizabethtown, KY is $22.01/hr, equivalent to $45,781 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $13.65/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $31.25/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$45,781
$22.01/hr
Cost of Living
80.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Elizabethtown, KY Overview
Population
31,364
Median Salary
$45,781
Average Salary
$51,275
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$165,000
Median Rent
$676/mo
Job Growth
+1%
Sales Tax
6%
Elizabethtown is located in Kentucky with a population of 31,364. The median household salary is $45,781 per year ($22.01/hour), which is $13,603 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1%.
Elizabethtown Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Elizabethtown, KY based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $45,781 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $28,384 | $13.65/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $45,781 | $22.01/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $65,009 | $31.25/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $81,490 | $39.18/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Elizabethtown Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Elizabethtown, KY, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$36,653
$3,054.42/month · $1,409.73/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.9%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,409.73 take-home per paycheck after estimated Kentucky and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$45,781
Federal Tax
-$3,314
State Tax
-$1,831
Local Tax
-$481
FICA
-$3,502
Net Pay
$36,653
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,815.08 | $45,781.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$276.14 | -$3,313.72 |
| Kentucky State Tax (4%) | -$152.60 | -$1,831.24 |
| Local Tax (1.05%) | -$40.06 | -$480.70 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$236.54 | -$2,838.42 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$55.32 | -$663.82 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,054.42 | $36,653.09 |
Salary Comparison: Elizabethtown vs Other Cities
See how Elizabethtown's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown, KY | $45,781 | 80.5 | $56,871 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Stockbridge, GA | $45,779 | 85.8 | $53,355 |
| Duncanville, TX | $45,795 | 94.9 | $48,256 |
| Whitney, NV | $45,802 | 92.1 | $49,731 |
| Bonita Springs, FL | $45,824 | 96 | $47,733 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown's cost of living index is 80.5 (national average = 100). Living in Elizabethtown is 19.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$165,000
Median Monthly Rent
$676
Annual Rent Cost
$8,112
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $36,653 annual take-home pay in Elizabethtown has the purchasing power of approximately $45,532 in an average-cost US area. Your $45,781 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $45,781.
Salary Tips for Elizabethtown Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Elizabethtown has a cost of living 19.5% below the national average. A salary of $45,781 here has the purchasing power of about $56,871 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Elizabethtown's top industries include Automotive, Healthcare, Bourbon. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $45,781 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Elizabethtown salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Elizabethtown-KY metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Elizabethtown indexed at 80.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Elizabethtown's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $45,781 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Kentucky state income tax (4%), plus Elizabethtown local tax of 1.05%, sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Elizabethtown: 4.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Automotive, Healthcare, Bourbon — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Kentucky.
- Housing context: median home price $165,000, median rent $676/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Elizabethtown, KY:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Elizabethtown unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Elizabethtown QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Kentucky — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Elizabethtown's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Kentucky labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Elizabethtown, KY?
The median hourly wage in Elizabethtown, KY is $22.01 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $45,781 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $13.65/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $31.25/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Elizabethtown, KY?
The median salary in Elizabethtown, KY is $45,781 per year, or $22.01 per hour. The average salary is $51,275. This is $13,603 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Elizabethtown, KY?
Elizabethtown's cost of living index is 80.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 19.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $165,000 and the median monthly rent is $676.
What are the best industries in Elizabethtown?
The top industries in Elizabethtown, KY include Automotive, Healthcare, Bourbon. The city has a job growth rate of 1% and an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $45,781.
How does Elizabethtown's salary compare to other cities?
Elizabethtown's median salary of $45,781 is 22.9% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 80.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $56,871.
What is the minimum wage in Elizabethtown, KY?
The minimum wage in Elizabethtown, KY is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.