Careers in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Part of Kentucky.
Lexington-Fayette, KY’s regional price level is below the national average (index 92.889, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).
Unemployment rate: 4.8% · 269,752 people employed (2026-06, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).
Highest-Paying Careers
See full list →- 1Cardiologists$558,180
- 2Physicians, All Other$283,730
- 3Anesthesiologists$273,190
- 4Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$256,240
- 5Nurse Anesthetists$242,700
Largest Occupations
See full list →- 1Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators8,650 employed
- 2General and Operations Managers8,100 employed
- 3Registered Nurses8,070 employed
- 4Retail Salespersons7,810 employed
- 5Fast Food and Counter Workers5,500 employed
Highest Concentration
See full list →- 1Surgeons, All Other7.10× national avg
- 2Social Science Research Assistants6.60× national avg
- 3Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers6.21× national avg
- 4Animal Trainers5.82× national avg
- 5Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals5.53× national avg
Best Purchasing Power
See full list →cost-of-living adjusted
- 1Cardiologists$600,911
- 2Physicians, All Other$305,451
- 3Anesthesiologists$294,104
- 4Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$275,856
- 5Nurse Anesthetists$261,280
Sources
Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score isn’t available at the metro level yet — see Kentucky state page.