How Much Do Bartenders Make in Kentucky?
Median wage from BLS May 2025 — and the after-tax number the salary sites skip. Tax year 2026.
Quick answer
According to payandtaxes.com's analysis of BLS May 2025 data and 2026 tax law, the median Bartenders in Kentucky earns $28,780 per year and takes home $24,415 ($2,035/month) — a keep-rate of 84.8%, with 6,870 employed in the state.
Free. No signup. Single filer, standard deduction — full model.
| Gross pay | $2,398.33 |
| Federal income tax | $106.13 |
| Social Security | $148.70 |
| Medicare | $34.78 |
| Kentucky state income tax | $74.14 |
| You keep | $2,034.59 |
How much do Bartenders make in Kentucky?
The median Bartenders in Kentucky earns $28,780 per year (BLS May 2025), about $13.84 per hour.
What is that after taxes?
$28,780 gross in Kentucky keeps $24,415 after federal income tax ($1,274), FICA ($2,202) and state income tax ($890) — $2,035 per month, a 84.8% keep-rate.
How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Bartenders?
The Kentucky median is $5,560 below the national median of $34,340.
Which state pays Bartenders the most?
Hawaii has the highest median gross for Bartenders at $76,490 — but compare take-home, not gross: state taxes change the order.
Bartenders salary in every state · Kentucky paycheck calculator · Kentucky minimum wage