HOURLY WAGE INDEX

Let’s talk wages in Kentucky

$7.25

What is the minimum wage in Kentucky?

The Kentucky minimum wage Is $7.25 per hour, which is the same as the federal minimum wage. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as tipped workers and certain types of trainees.

The Kentucky minimum wage applies to all hours worked in Kentucky, regardless of whether the work is done within the state's borders or not. Some cities and counties in Kentucky have their own minimum wage laws that are higher than the state's, so workers in those areas are entitled to the higher wage.

$25.97

What is the average wage in Kentucky?

The average wage in Kentucky is $25.97 per hour. The following is a list of some of the most common occupations in Kentucky and their corresponding hourly wages:

-Registered nurses: $26.56 per hour

-Elementary school teachers: $22.68 per hour

-Construction workers: $21.32 per hour

-Waiters and waitresses: $9.14 per hour

$29.99

What is the living wage in Kentucky?

The living wage in Kentucky is $11.17 per hour, which is slightly lower than the national living wage of $11.88 per hour.

A guide to hourly labor laws in Kentucky

Standard Minimum Wage: $7.25 (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 337.275) (29 US Code § 206).
Tipped Minimum Wage: $2.13, totaling at least minimum wage after tips (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 337.275) (29 US Code § 203), (DoL Table).
Overtime: Hours exceeding 40 in a fixed week are overtime, paid at 1.5 times the regular rate (29 US Code § 207) (DoL).
Meal Breaks: Employees must receive a reasonable meal break. This break must be within three and five hours of the shift's start (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 337.355) (KY Workplace Standards). Federal law allows unpaid, non-working, bona-fide meal breaks over 30 minutes; exceptions may apply (29 C.F.R. § 785.19). Breaks lasting 5–20 minutes must be paid (29 C.F.R. § 785.18).
Rest Breaks: Employees receive a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked or major fraction thereof. This is in addition to the meal break (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 337.355) (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 337.365). Breaks lasting 5–20 minutes must be paid (29 C.F.R. § 785.18).
Wage Deductions: Only those required by law or authorized in writing for legal purposes. Deductions for breakage and losses are not allowed. Third-party deductions benefitting the employer may not reduce the wage below the applicable minimum (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 337.060) (29 C.F.R. § 4.168) (29 US Code § 203).

Final Paychecks: Paid by the later of the next payday or 14 days following termination or resignation (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 337.055).
Wage Payment Frequency: At least semimonthly payments that are no more than 18 days after the pay period ends (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 337.020).
Paid Sick Leave: No Kentucky state/federal law. Policies are determined by the employer or through collective bargaining agreements (DoL).
Paid Family and Medical Leave: No state/federal paid leave law. The FMLA provides up to 12 unpaid weeks per year for eligible employees (FMLA).
Maximum Daily and Weekly Hours for Children Under 16:
- School sessions: No more than three hours per school day, eight hours per non-school day, and 18 hours per school session week. No working during required school hours.
- Non-school sessions: Up to eight hours per day and 40 hours per work week.
- Hours: Work hours are only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Except between June 1 and Labor Day, when hours extend to 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 339.230).
Maximum Daily and Weekly Hours for Children 16 and 17:
- School sessions: Up to six hours per school day and 30 hours per school week. Up to eight hours per non-school day during school sessions.
- Hours: Youth may work between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on days before a school day and until 1 a.m. before a non-school day. Extensions available on working hours, weeks, and times (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 339.230).

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?

It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.

What is a good hourly wage?

This question is a difficult one to answer, as a "good hourly wage" is highly subjective according to experience, work responsibilities, cost of living, and other factors. We recommend using Hourly Wage Index data as a starting point. Once you have established a baseline for certain positions, do further research into similar businesses in your area. Lastly, consider surveying your employees. They're the best resource to help you know what is a good hourly wage, what competitive pay looks like in your location, and how competitive wages change in your industry over time.

Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?

We know that getting applicants to pay attention to your business can be extremely challenging, and that offering competitive pay is a huge part of that. Wages aren’t everything, however! Applicant experience is another important factor that can help set you apart from your competition. A few examples include:

Short, easy to understand job descriptions
Mobile-friendliness
Quick communication
Streamlined interview stages

Resources

Become a hiring and onboarding expert.

GUIDE

Checking the box on hiring and retention

Download the packet

BLOG

5 Steps to build your convenience store brand

Read now

BLOG

Social media recruiting: Why your employees should help

Read now

We're here to help!

A Workstream hiring specialist can help you identify high impact ways to improve your applicant experience, and even help you determine what is a good hourly wage for your location and business.