Lawyer Salary

Elizabethtown vs Lexington: Lawyer Salary (2026)

Compare lawyer salaries between Elizabethtown, KY and Lexington, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elizabethtown, KY
$102,365
$49.22/hr
Lexington, KY
$116,259
$55.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElizabethtown, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$102,365$116,259
Hourly Rate$49.22$55.90
Entry Level (P10)$62,663$67,144
25th Percentile$74,703$85,844
75th Percentile$135,210$170,357
Top Earner (P90)$169,499$223,639
Total Employed1201,040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elizabethtown ($102,365) and Lexington ($116,259) lawyer salaries.ElizabethtownLexingtonMedian Salary$102,365$116,259Entry Level (P10)$62,663$67,144Top Earner (P90)$169,499$223,639US Median $167,174

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Elizabethtown.

The salary gap between Elizabethtown and Lexington is $13,894 (13.57%). Lexington's median is -30.46% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elizabethtown spans $106,836,Lexington spans $156,495. Lexington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Elizabethtown
P10 (Entry)$62,663
P25$74,703
Median$102,365
P75$135,210
P90 (Top)$169,499
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$67,144
P25$85,844
Median$116,259
P75$170,357
P90 (Top)$223,639

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($125,159 effective) pays 10.74% more than Elizabethtown ($113,021 effective).

Elizabethtown
Nominal: $102,365
CoL Index: 90.572
Adjusted: $113,021
Lexington
Nominal: $116,259
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $125,159

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elizabethtown if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($116,259/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($223,639)
  • Larger job market (1,040 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $125,159)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Elizabethtown grew 54.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.5% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Elizabethtown, KY

+54.5%

$63,300 (2019) → $97,770 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+17.5%

$94,470 (2019) → $111,040 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Elizabethtown or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median lawyer salary at $116,259/year, compared to Elizabethtown at $102,365/year — a difference of $13,894 (13.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elizabethtown and Lexington?

Elizabethtown lawyers earn $49.22/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $55.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elizabethtown to Lexington as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elizabethtown and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elizabethtown = $113,021, Lexington = $125,159), job availability (120 vs 1,040 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Elizabethtown vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $62,663 in Elizabethtown and $67,144 in Lexington. The Lexington area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Martinez, JDData verified by Priya Patel, JD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov