How Much Does a Bartender Make in Kentucky (KY) in 2026? (Hourly & After-Tax Salary)
Median Annual & Hourly Wage in Kentucky (KY)
$31,660/yr ($15.22/hr · $26,411 After-Tax)
Entry-Level (25th Pct)$24,690 ($11.87/hr)
Experienced (90th Pct)$42,740 ($20.55/hr)
Bi-Weekly Net Paycheck$1,015.80
Overtime Rate (1.5x)$22.83/hr
Gross vs. Net After-Tax Pay by Experience Level (2026)
| Level | Hourly | Gross Annual | Federal + FICA + State Tax | Net Take-Home | Bi-Weekly Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $11.87/hr | $24,690 | −$3,645.39 | $21,044.61 | $809.41 |
| Median (Mid-Career) | $15.22/hr | $31,660 | −$5,249.09 | $26,410.91 | $1,015.80 |
| Senior / Top 10% | $20.55/hr | $42,740 | −$7,869.51 | $34,870.49 | $1,341.17 |
Compare Wage Across All 50 U.S. States
Texas ($16.76/hr)California ($20.18/hr)Florida ($16.25/hr)New York ($19.84/hr)Illinois ($17.61/hr)Arizona ($16.59/hr)New Jersey ($19.15/hr)Georgia ($16.42/hr)North Carolina ($16.25/hr)Washington ($19.66/hr)Pennsylvania ($16.93/hr)Ohio ($16.07/hr)Nevada ($16.76/hr)Colorado ($18.13/hr)Virginia ($17.96/hr)Massachusetts ($20.01/hr)Michigan ($16.42/hr)Tennessee ($15.73/hr)Indiana ($15.90/hr)Maryland ($18.47/hr)Minnesota ($17.78/hr)Missouri ($15.73/hr)Wisconsin ($16.59/hr)Oregon ($17.96/hr)Connecticut ($18.98/hr)Utah ($16.59/hr)South Carolina ($15.56/hr)Alabama ($15.05/hr)Louisiana ($15.22/hr)Kentucky ($15.22/hr)Oklahoma ($15.22/hr)Kansas ($15.73/hr)Iowa ($15.90/hr)New Mexico ($15.73/hr)Arkansas ($14.88/hr)Mississippi ($14.54/hr)Nebraska ($16.07/hr)Idaho ($15.90/hr)Hawaii ($18.47/hr)New Hampshire ($17.61/hr)Maine ($16.25/hr)Rhode Island ($17.44/hr)Montana ($15.73/hr)Delaware ($17.27/hr)South Dakota ($15.56/hr)North Dakota ($16.25/hr)Alaska ($18.64/hr)Vermont ($16.76/hr)West Virginia ($14.71/hr)Wyoming ($16.25/hr)