Salary & Cost of Living in Henderson, KY
Henderson, KY: $37,183 median salary, cost of living index 81.7, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$37,183
$18/hr
Cost of Living
81.7
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.7%
rate
Henderson, KY Overview
Population
28,757
Median Salary
$37,183
Average Salary
$41,645
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$188,000
Median Rent
$766/mo
Job Growth
+1.8%
Sales Tax
6%
Henderson is located in Kentucky with a population of 28,757. The median household salary is $37,183 per year ($18/hour), which is $22,201 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.8%.
Henderson Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Henderson, KY based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $37,183 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 | $23,053 | $11.09/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $37,183 | $17.88/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $52,800 | $25.39/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $66,186 | $31.83/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.
Henderson Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Henderson, KY, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$29,840
$2,486.69/month · $1,147.70/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.7%
Gross Pay
$37,183
Federal Tax
-$2,423
State Tax
-$1,487
Local Tax
-$587
FICA
-$2,844
Net Pay
$29,840
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,098.58 | $37,183.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$201.96 | -$2,423.46 |
| Kentucky State Tax (4%) | -$123.94 | -$1,487.32 |
| Local Tax (1.58%) | -$48.96 | -$587.49 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$192.11 | -$2,305.35 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$44.93 | -$539.15 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,486.69 | $29,840.23 |
Salary Comparison: Henderson vs Other Cities
See how Henderson's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson, KY | $37,183 | 81.7 | $45,512 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Paragould, AR | $37,099 | 82.6 | $44,914 |
| Georgetown, KY | $37,363 | 80.9 | $46,184 |
| Jeffersontown, KY | $37,522 | 79.7 | $47,079 |
| Victorville, CA | $37,578 | 104.5 | $35,960 |
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 Henderson
Henderson's cost of living index is 81.7 (national average = 100). Living in Henderson is 18.299999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$188,000
Median Monthly Rent
$766
Annual Rent Cost
$9,192
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $29,840 annual take-home pay in Henderson has the purchasing power of approximately $36,524 in an average-cost US area. Your $37,183 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Henderson
Henderson's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $37,183.
Salary Tips for Henderson Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Henderson has a cost of living 18.299999999999997% below the national average. A salary of $37,183 here has the purchasing power of about $45,512 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Henderson's top industries include Automotive, Healthcare, Bourbon. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $37,183 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 Henderson salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Henderson-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 Henderson indexed at 81.7.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Henderson's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $37,183 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Kentucky state income tax (4%), plus Henderson local tax of 1.58%, sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Henderson: 3.7%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Automotive, Healthcare, Bourbon — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Kentucky.
- Housing context: median home price $188,000, median rent $766/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Henderson, KY:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Henderson unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Henderson 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. Henderson'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 median salary in Henderson, KY?
The median salary in Henderson, KY is $37,183 per year, or $18 per hour. The average salary is $41,645. This is $22,201 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Henderson, KY?
Henderson's cost of living index is 81.7 (national average = 100), meaning it is 18.299999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $188,000 and the median monthly rent is $766.
What are the best industries in Henderson?
The top industries in Henderson, KY include Automotive, Healthcare, Bourbon. The city has a job growth rate of 1.8% and an unemployment rate of 3.7%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $37,183.
How does Henderson's salary compare to other cities?
Henderson's median salary of $37,183 is 37.4% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 81.7), the real purchasing power is approximately $45,512.
What is the minimum wage in Henderson, KY?
The minimum wage in Henderson, 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.