Richmond Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Richmond, KY: $18.09/hr median hourly wage, $37,620 median annual salary, cost of living index 86.4, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Kentucky taxes.
Richmond Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Richmond, KY is $18.09/hr, equivalent to $37,620 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $11.22/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $25.69/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$37,620
$18.09/hr
Cost of Living
86.4
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
4.2%
rate
Richmond, KY Overview
Population
37,522
Median Salary
$37,620
Average Salary
$42,134
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$156,000
Median Rent
$643/mo
Job Growth
+1.1%
Sales Tax
6%
Richmond is located in Kentucky with a population of 37,522. The median household salary is $37,620 per year ($18.09/hour), which is $21,764 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.1%.
Richmond Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Richmond, KY based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $37,620 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 | $23,324 | $11.22/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $37,620 | $18.09/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $53,420 | $25.69/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $66,964 | $32.20/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.
Richmond Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Richmond, KY, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$30,290
$2,524.14/month · $1,164.99/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.5%
Gross Pay
$37,620
Federal Tax
-$2,334
State Tax
-$1,505
Local Tax
-$613
FICA
-$2,878
Net Pay
$30,290
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,135.00 | $37,620.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$194.53 | -$2,334.40 |
| Kentucky State Tax (4%) | -$125.40 | -$1,504.80 |
| Local Tax (1.63%) | -$51.10 | -$613.21 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$194.37 | -$2,332.44 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$45.46 | -$545.49 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,524.14 | $30,289.66 |
Salary Comparison: Richmond vs Other Cities
See how Richmond's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, KY | $37,620 | 86.4 | $43,542 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Victorville, CA | $37,578 | 104.5 | $35,960 |
| Jeffersontown, KY | $37,522 | 79.7 | $47,079 |
| Georgetown, KY | $37,363 | 80.9 | $46,184 |
| Henderson, KY | $37,183 | 81.7 | $45,512 |
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 Richmond
Richmond's cost of living index is 86.4 (national average = 100). Living in Richmond is 13.599999999999994% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$156,000
Median Monthly Rent
$643
Annual Rent Cost
$7,716
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $30,290 annual take-home pay in Richmond has the purchasing power of approximately $35,057 in an average-cost US area. Your $37,620 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Richmond
Richmond's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $37,620.
Salary Tips for Richmond Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Richmond has a cost of living 13.599999999999994% below the national average. A salary of $37,620 here has the purchasing power of about $43,542 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Richmond's top industries include Automotive, Healthcare, Bourbon. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $37,620 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 Richmond salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Richmond-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 Richmond indexed at 86.4.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Richmond's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $37,620 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Kentucky state income tax (4%), plus Richmond local tax of 1.63%, sales tax (6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Richmond: 4.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Automotive, Healthcare, Bourbon — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.1% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Kentucky.
- Housing context: median home price $156,000, median rent $643/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Richmond, KY:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Richmond unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Richmond 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. Richmond'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 Richmond, KY?
The median hourly wage in Richmond, KY is $18.09 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $37,620 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $11.22/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $25.69/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Richmond, KY?
The median salary in Richmond, KY is $37,620 per year, or $18.09 per hour. The average salary is $42,134. This is $21,764 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Richmond, KY?
Richmond's cost of living index is 86.4 (national average = 100), meaning it is 13.599999999999994% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $156,000 and the median monthly rent is $643.
What are the best industries in Richmond?
The top industries in Richmond, KY include Automotive, Healthcare, Bourbon. The city has a job growth rate of 1.1% and an unemployment rate of 4.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $37,620.
How does Richmond's salary compare to other cities?
Richmond's median salary of $37,620 is 36.6% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 86.4), the real purchasing power is approximately $43,542.
What is the minimum wage in Richmond, KY?
The minimum wage in Richmond, 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.