Lawyer Salary

Hopkinsville vs Lexington: Lawyer Salary (2026)

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

Hopkinsville, KY
$99,674
$47.92/hr
Lexington, KY
$116,259
$55.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHopkinsville, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$99,674$116,259
Hourly Rate$47.92$55.90
Entry Level (P10)$57,811$67,144
25th Percentile$71,766$85,844
75th Percentile$127,583$170,357
Top Earner (P90)$154,495$223,639
Total Employed61,040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hopkinsville ($99,674) and Lexington ($116,259) lawyer salaries.HopkinsvilleLexingtonMedian Salary$99,674$116,259Entry Level (P10)$57,811$67,144Top Earner (P90)$154,495$223,639US Median $167,174

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Hopkinsville and Lexington is $16,585 (16.64%). 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 Hopkinsville spans $96,684,Lexington spans $156,495. Lexington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Hopkinsville
P10 (Entry)$57,811
P25$71,766
Median$99,674
P75$127,583
P90 (Top)$154,495
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 12.13% more than Hopkinsville ($111,617 effective).

Hopkinsville
Nominal: $99,674
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $111,617
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 Hopkinsville 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 Hopkinsville grew -4.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.5% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Hopkinsville, KY

+-4.9%

$100,072 (2024) → $95,200 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+17.5%

$94,470 (2019) → $111,040 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Hopkinsville or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median lawyer salary at $116,259/year, compared to Hopkinsville at $99,674/year — a difference of $16,585 (16.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hopkinsville and Lexington?

Hopkinsville lawyers earn $47.92/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $55.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hopkinsville to Lexington as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hopkinsville and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hopkinsville = $111,617, Lexington = $125,159), job availability (6 vs 1,040 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $57,811 in Hopkinsville and $67,144 in Lexington. The Lexington area offers higher starting salaries.
AC

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