Salary & Cost of Living in Independence, KY
Independence, KY: $38,969 median salary, cost of living index 86.7, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$38,969
$19/hr
Cost of Living
86.7
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.4%
rate
Independence, KY Overview
Population
28,488
Median Salary
$38,969
Average Salary
$43,645
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$174,000
Median Rent
$710/mo
Job Growth
+0.6%
Sales Tax
6%
Independence is located in Kentucky with a population of 28,488. The median household salary is $38,969 per year ($19/hour), which is $20,415 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.6%.
Independence Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Independence, KY based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $38,969 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 | $24,161 | $11.62/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $38,969 | $18.74/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $55,336 | $26.61/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $69,365 | $33.36/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.
Independence Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Independence, KY, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$31,055
$2,587.90/month · $1,194.42/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.3%
Gross Pay
$38,969
Federal Tax
-$2,638
State Tax
-$1,559
Local Tax
-$737
FICA
-$2,981
Net Pay
$31,055
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,247.42 | $38,969.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$219.81 | -$2,637.78 |
| Kentucky State Tax (4%) | -$129.90 | -$1,558.76 |
| Local Tax (1.89%) | -$61.38 | -$736.51 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$201.34 | -$2,416.08 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$47.09 | -$565.05 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,587.90 | $31,054.82 |
Salary Comparison: Independence vs Other Cities
See how Independence's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence, KY | $38,969 | 86.7 | $44,947 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Prairieville, LA | $38,805 | 92 | $42,179 |
| Longview, TX | $39,214 | 85.2 | $46,026 |
| Greer, SC | $38,723 | 85.7 | $45,184 |
| Indio, CA | $39,228 | 108.1 | $36,289 |
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 Independence
Independence's cost of living index is 86.7 (national average = 100). Living in Independence is 13.299999999999997% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$174,000
Median Monthly Rent
$710
Annual Rent Cost
$8,520
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $31,055 annual take-home pay in Independence has the purchasing power of approximately $35,819 in an average-cost US area. Your $38,969 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Independence
Independence's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $38,969.
Salary Tips for Independence Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Independence has a cost of living 13.299999999999997% below the national average. A salary of $38,969 here has the purchasing power of about $44,947 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Independence's top industries include Automotive, Healthcare, Bourbon. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $38,969 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 Independence salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Independence-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 Independence indexed at 86.7.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Independence's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $38,969 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Kentucky state income tax (4%), plus Independence local tax of 1.89%, sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Independence: 3.4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Automotive, Healthcare, Bourbon — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.6% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Kentucky.
- Housing context: median home price $174,000, median rent $710/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Independence, KY:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Independence unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Independence 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. Independence'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
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Independence, KY?
The median salary in Independence, KY is $38,969 per year, or $19 per hour. The average salary is $43,645. This is $20,415 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Independence, KY?
Independence's cost of living index is 86.7 (national average = 100), meaning it is 13.299999999999997% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $174,000 and the median monthly rent is $710.
What are the best industries in Independence?
The top industries in Independence, KY include Automotive, Healthcare, Bourbon. The city has a job growth rate of 0.6% and an unemployment rate of 3.4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $38,969.
How does Independence's salary compare to other cities?
Independence's median salary of $38,969 is 34.4% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 86.7), the real purchasing power is approximately $44,947.
What is the minimum wage in Independence, KY?
The minimum wage in Independence, 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.