$18 an Hour Is How Much a Year After Taxes in Kentucky?
Full time, $18 an hour is $37,440 a year before taxes. After 2026 federal, Kentucky, and FICA taxes, a single filer in Kentucky takes home about $31,070 a year: $2,589 a month, or $14.94 for each hour worked.
Take-home pay on $18/hour full-time in Kentucky (single filer, 2026)
- Per year
- $31,070
- Per month
- $2,589
- Every 2 weeks
- $1,195
- Per hour
- $14.94
Total tax $6,370 · effective rate 17.0% · federal bracket 12%
$18 an hour before and after taxes
| Period | Before tax | After tax |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $18.00 | $14.94 |
| Daily (8 hours) | $144.00 | $119.50 |
| Weekly (40 hours) | $720 | $598 |
| Biweekly | $1,440 | $1,195 |
| Semimonthly | $1,560 | $1,295 |
| Monthly | $3,120 | $2,589 |
| Yearly | $37,440 | $31,070 |
Where the taxes go
| Item | Year | Month | Biweekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $37,440 | $3,120 | $1,440 |
| Federal income tax | -$2,313 | -$193 | -$89 |
| Kentucky income tax | -$1,193 | -$99 | -$46 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$2,321 | -$193 | -$89 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$543 | -$45 | -$21 |
| Take-home pay | $31,070 | $2,589 | $1,195 |
Part-time and overtime at $18 an hour
| Schedule | Yearly gross | Take-home | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 hours/week | $18,720 | $16,488 | 11.9% |
| 30 hours/week | $28,080 | $23,869 | 15.0% |
| 40 hours/week | $37,440 | $31,070 | 17.0% |
| 40 hours + 5 overtime | $44,460 | $36,464 | 18.0% |
Overtime is shown at time and a half ($27.00/hour) with normal withholding. For 2025 through 2028, eligible workers can also deduct the premium half of qualified overtime pay on their federal return (up to $12,500, or $25,000 filing jointly), which is not reflected in paycheck withholding.
$18 an hour in Kentucky cities with local tax
| City (resident) | Local rate | Local tax | Take-home |
|---|---|---|---|
| No local tax | — | $0 | $31,070 |
| Louisville | 2.2% / 1.45% | $824 | $30,247 |
| Lexington | 2.75% / 2.25% | $1,030 | $30,041 |
| Bowling Green | 2% | $749 | $30,321 |
| Owensboro | 1.78% | $666 | $30,404 |
| Covington | 2.45% | $917 | $30,153 |
| Georgetown | 2% | $749 | $30,321 |
| Richmond | 2% | $749 | $30,321 |
| Florence | 2% | $749 | $30,321 |
| Elizabethtown | 1.95% | $730 | $30,340 |
| Hopkinsville | 2% | $749 | $30,321 |
$18 an hour in nearby states
Kentucky ranks 33rd of 51 for take-home pay at this wage. See $18 an hour after taxes in every state.
| State | State tax | Take-home | vs Kentucky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $795 | $31,468 | +$398 |
| Illinois | $1,853 | $30,410 | -$660 |
| Indiana | $1,104 | $31,159 | +$88 |
| Ohio | $313 | $31,950 | +$880 |
| West Virginia | $1,080 | $31,183 | +$113 |
| Virginia | $1,392 | $30,871 | -$199 |
| Tennessee | $0 | $32,263 | +$1,193 |
| Texas | $0 | $32,263 | +$1,193 |
Use your exact hours
Convert other hours and wages with the hourly-to-salary calculator, or add deductions in the Kentucky paycheck calculator.
$18 an hour in Kentucky: FAQ
$18 an hour is how much a year after taxes in Kentucky?
Working 40 hours a week, $18 an hour is $37,440 a year before taxes. After federal, Kentucky, and FICA taxes, a single filer takes home about $31,070 a year, or $14.94 for every hour worked.
How much is $18 an hour per month after taxes in Kentucky?
About $2,589 a month after taxes ($3,120 before taxes). A biweekly paycheck is about $1,195 and a weekly paycheck about $598.
How much is $18 an hour part-time in Kentucky?
At 20 hours a week, $18 an hour is $18,720 a year, and take-home pay is about $16,488 ($1,374 a month). Lower annual income means a lower effective tax rate: 11.9% versus 17.0% full-time.
How is overtime taxed at $18 an hour?
Overtime is paid at $27.00 an hour (time and a half). Five overtime hours every week would raise yearly gross pay to $44,460 and take-home to about $36,464. Federal law for 2025-2028 also lets eligible workers deduct the premium half of qualified overtime pay (up to $12,500, or $25,000 filing jointly, phasing out above $150,000 of income) when they file, which can mean a refund even though withholding is unchanged.
