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Kentucky minimum wage in 2026
Minimum wage in Kentucky
$7.25
an hour · federal rate · $15,080 a year full time · about $13,516 after taxes
| Per week (40 hours) | $290.00 |
| Every two weeks | $580.00 |
| Per month | $1,256.67 |
| Per year | $15,080 |
Kentucky has no state minimum wage above the federal one. The federal rate applies to employers covered by federal law. Some cities and counties set a higher minimum. Updated November 15, 2026.
Minimum wage in Kentucky after taxes
A full-time minimum wage worker in Kentucky earns $15,080 a year. As a single filer, none of it goes to federal income tax, because it is below the $16,100 standard deduction, $1,154 to Social Security and Medicare, and $410 to Kentucky income tax. That leaves $13,516, or $6.50 for each hour worked.
| Hours per week | Per week | Per year | Per year after taxes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | $72.50 | $3,770 | $3,467 |
| 15 | $108.75 | $5,655 | $5,142 |
| 20 | $145.00 | $7,540 | $6,817 |
| 25 | $181.25 | $9,425 | $8,492 |
| 30 | $217.50 | $11,310 | $10,167 |
| 35 | $253.75 | $13,195 | $11,841 |
| 40 | $290.00 | $15,080 | $13,516 |
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky's minimum wage ranks 32nd highest of the 50 states and DC. The highest is District of Columbia, at $18.40. 30 states and DC set their own rate above the federal $7.25; the rest use the federal rate.
| State | Minimum wage | Full-time year | vs. Kentucky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $7.25 | $15,080 | — |
| Illinois | $15.00 | $31,200 | +$7.75 |
| Indiana | $7.25 | $15,080 | same |
| Missouri | $15.00 | $31,200 | +$7.75 |
| Ohio | $11.00 | $22,880 | +$3.75 |
| Tennessee | $7.25 | $15,080 | same |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $26,562 | +$5.52 |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | $18,200 | +$1.50 |
Overtime at minimum wage
Under federal law, most hourly workers must be paid 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a week. At Kentucky's minimum wage that is $10.88 for each overtime hour. Five overtime hours a week add $2,828 a year before taxes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Kentucky in 2026?
Kentucky has no state minimum wage above the federal one, so the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour applies to covered employers.
How much is minimum wage a year in Kentucky?
Working 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, $7.25 an hour is $15,080 a year before taxes and about $13,516 after taxes for a single filer.
How much is a minimum wage paycheck in Kentucky?
A full-time worker paid every two weeks earns $580.00 before taxes and takes home about $519.85.
Is Kentucky's minimum wage higher than the federal minimum?
No. The federal minimum of $7.25 an hour is the one that applies.
More Kentucky tools
Kentucky taxes and pay: overviewKentucky paycheck calculatorKentucky income tax calculator$15 an hour$20 an hour$25 an hour$30 an hour$50,000 a year$75,000 a year$100,000 a year
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor: state minimum wage rates (in effect September 30, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Labor: overtime pay
- How after-tax figures are calculated
Minimum wage in other states
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