Lexington Employment

Employment and Industries in the Lexington, Kentucky Area

Lexington has a large number of technology and government jobs. Lexington also includes numerous manufacturing and technology jobs. Also, the University of Kentucky is a large employer. The Fortune 500 companies Lexmark International, Hewlett Packard and Affiliated Computer Services are located in the city. Amazon.com, Trane and United Parcel Service have a large presence in Lexington. In addition, the JIF peanut butter facility is one of the world's largest producers of peanut butter.

Lexington has been ranked as the 5th best city for "Businesses and careers" by Forbes Magazine. Kiplinger named Lexington the 5th best city for young professionals.

The following is a list of the top employers in the Lexington region:

  • University of Kentucky
  • Toyota Motor Manufacturing
  • Fayette Co. Public Schools
  • Lexington-Fayette Urban County Gov't
  • Lexmark International
  • Central Baptist Hospital
  • Eastern Kentucky University
  • St. Joseph Hospital
  • Veterans Medical Center
  • The Trane Company
  • ACS
  • NACCO Materials Handling Group Inc
  • Lexington Clinic
  • Amazon.com
  • Osram Sylvania Inc
  • U.S. Postal Service
  • Kentucky Utilities
  • Walmart
  • IBM Global Services
  • TOKICO (USA) Inc
  • Valvoline Co
  • L-3 Communications Integrated Systems
  • Chase
  • ALLTEL
  • Quebecor World

Some of the most popular occupations which are primarily filled by those with a college degree are registered nurses, teachers, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, financial managers, computer systems analysts, lawyers; child, family and school social workers; computer applications software engineers, and pharmacists.

Lexington's top job providing sectors are:

  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Government
  • Technology
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Accommodation and food services
  • Finance and insurance

Noteworthy information regarding Lexington Kentucky: Lexington is known as the "Horse Capital of the World." Has been ranked #10 among the nation's cities regarding college education rate with 39.5% of the residents having earned at least a bachelor's degree. In 2008 the city's cost of living index was at 86.2. The nation's average is 100. Lexington's estimated median household income in 2007 was $46,000.

Some of the helpful organizations for Lexington businesses are:

The Lexington Herald-Leader provides news about business and industry in Lexington.

Jobs in Lexington

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations273120$45,430$21.84100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations40540$36,060$17.3413.75
3Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations26840$23,220$11.178.7
4Sales and Related Occupations26040$36,500$17.559.5
5Transportation and Material Moving Occupations24560$34,030$16.366.7
6Production Occupations23930$43,070$20.715.6
7Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations19460$70,930$34.15.85
8Management Occupations13760$98,330$47.276.35
9Educational Instruction and Library Occupations13140$51,940$24.976
10Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations11540$47,030$22.613.75
11Business and Financial Operations Occupations11460$66,420$31.935.35
12Healthcare Support Occupations10110$31,550$15.172.85
13Fast Food and Counter Workers10100$20,210$9.722.45
14Construction and Extraction Occupations9280$47,760$22.964.6
15Retail Salespersons8080$26,350$12.672.7
16Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand8070$29,340$14.111.8
17Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations7610$29,350$14.113.6
18Registered Nurses7400$62,660$30.121.95
19Cashiers7380$21,710$10.442.2
20Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators7160$41,870$20.130.8
21Protective Service Occupations6720$36,210$17.412.2
22Customer Service Representatives6660$31,460$15.131.75
23Personal Care and Service Occupations5510$26,530$12.764.65
24Waiters and Waitresses5290$21,680$10.421.65
25Architecture and Engineering Occupations5020$75,720$36.41.7
26Computer and Mathematical Occupations4990$72,960$35.083
27General and Operations Managers4870$93,750$45.071.5
28Stockers and Order Fillers4570$26,640$12.811.25
29Community and Social Service Occupations3650$44,440$21.371.75
30Nursing Assistants3550$29,090$13.990.95
31Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive3510$37,270$17.921.4
32Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners3350$28,650$13.781.5
33Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers3240$47,260$22.721.2
34Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations3190$48,760$23.441.8
35Maintenance and Repair Workers, General3080$40,460$19.450.9
36First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers3000$57,280$27.540.95
37Security Guards2850$25,740$12.380.7
38Cooks, Restaurant2770$24,440$11.750.9
39Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks2580$38,580$18.551.05
40Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products2510$65,800$31.630.85
41Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations2500$57,430$27.610.8
42Receptionists and Information Clerks2350$29,040$13.960.7
43Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other2240$67,670$32.530.7
44Light Truck Drivers2230$40,700$19.570.6
45First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers2220$40,760$19.60.95
46Home Health and Personal Care Aides2150$24,900$11.970
47First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers1890$37,660$18.10.6
48Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers1890$32,110$15.440.75
49Accountants and Auditors1760$65,570$31.520.9
50Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers1740$42,290$20.330.35
51Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations1630$30,790$14.80.65
52Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners1560$22,140$10.640.9
53First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers1470$63,470$30.520.4
54Childcare Workers1410$22,450$10.790.7
55Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel1380$59,310$28.520.7
56Industrial Machinery Mechanics1370$59,770$28.740.2
57Medical Assistants1330$35,510$17.070.45
58Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters1270$60,970$29.310.3
59Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers1260$95,860$46.090.65
60Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals1250$28,560$13.730.15
61Food Preparation Workers1220$25,220$12.120.5
62Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1180$41,180$19.80.5
63Electricians1180$50,860$24.450.45
64Pharmacy Technicians1180$32,060$15.410.3
65Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria1160$29,670$14.270.3
66Carpenters1150$46,820$22.510.6
67Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers1130$46,270$22.250.4
68Computer User Support Specialists1090$53,220$25.590.4
69Billing and Posting Clerks1070$35,620$17.130.3
70Construction Laborers1070$36,190$17.40.9
71First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers1070$61,270$29.450.4
72Animal Caretakers1060$23,410$11.250.2
73Counter and Rental Clerks1060$29,290$14.080.3
74Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks1040$38,150$18.340.4
75First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers1030$68,780$33.070.3
76Bartenders1010$21,040$10.120.4
77Machinists960$45,580$21.910.2
78Human Resources Specialists950$56,900$27.350.4
79Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses950$44,470$21.380.5
80Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists950$56,140$26.990.45
81Industrial Engineers940$79,500$38.220.2
82Child, Family, and School Social Workers910$45,990$22.110.2
83Financial Managers900$120,320$57.850.4
84Medical Dosimetrists, Medical Records Specialists, and Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other890$43,560$20.940
85Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity890$34,960$16.810.3
86Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop880$22,420$10.780.3
87First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors870$56,870$27.340.3
88Pharmacists850$104,940$50.450.2
89Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians820$49,770$23.930.2
90Loan Officers800$77,520$37.270.2
91Management Analysts790$83,780$40.280.55
92Buyers and Purchasing Agents770$60,700$29.190.25
93Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers770$21,300$10.240.3
94Firefighters770$34,180$16.430.2
95Medical and Health Services Managers770$107,960$51.90.3
96Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants740$52,360$25.170.35
97Insurance Sales Agents740$63,050$30.310.3
98Correctional Officers and Jailers720$39,330$18.910.25
99Dental Assistants720$39,170$18.830.2
100Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks710$20,660$9.930.15
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Lexington Colleges
Lexington colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Lexington Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$45,430273,120
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$36,06040,540
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$23,22026,840
Sales and Related Occupations$36,50026,040
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$34,03024,560
Production Occupations$43,07023,930
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$70,93019,460
Management Occupations$98,33013,760
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$51,94013,140
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$47,03011,540
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$66,42011,460
Healthcare Support Occupations$31,55010,110
Fast Food and Counter Workers$20,21010,100
Construction and Extraction Occupations$47,7609,280
Retail Salespersons$26,3508,080
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,3408,070
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$29,3507,610
Registered Nurses$62,6607,400
Cashiers$21,7107,380
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$41,8707,160
Protective Service Occupations$36,2106,720
Customer Service Representatives$31,4606,660
Personal Care and Service Occupations$26,5305,510
Waiters and Waitresses$21,6805,290
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$75,7205,020
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$72,9604,990
General and Operations Managers$93,7504,870
Stockers and Order Fillers$26,6404,570
Community and Social Service Occupations$44,4403,650
Nursing Assistants$29,0903,550
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$37,2703,510
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$28,6503,350
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$47,2603,240
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$48,7603,190
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$40,4603,080
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$57,2803,000
Security Guards$25,7402,850
Cooks, Restaurant$24,4402,770
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$38,5802,580
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$65,8002,510
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$57,4302,500
Receptionists and Information Clerks$29,0402,350
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$67,6702,240
Light Truck Drivers$40,7002,230
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$40,7602,220
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$24,9002,150
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,6601,890
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$32,1101,890
Accountants and Auditors$65,5701,760
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$42,2901,740

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Lexington, Kentucky Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$45,430273,120
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$36,06040,540
Sales and Related Occupations$36,50026,040
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$34,03024,560
Production Occupations$43,07023,930
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$70,93019,460
Management Occupations$98,33013,760
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$51,94013,140
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$47,03011,540
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$66,42011,460
Healthcare Support Occupations$31,55010,110
Construction and Extraction Occupations$47,7609,280
Retail Salespersons$26,3508,080
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$29,3408,070
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$29,3507,610
Registered Nurses$62,6607,400
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$41,8707,160
Protective Service Occupations$36,2106,720
Customer Service Representatives$31,4606,660
Personal Care and Service Occupations$26,5305,510
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$75,7205,020
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$72,9604,990
General and Operations Managers$93,7504,870
Stockers and Order Fillers$26,6404,570
Community and Social Service Occupations$44,4403,650
Nursing Assistants$29,0903,550
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$37,2703,510
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$28,6503,350
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$47,2603,240
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$48,7603,190
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$40,4603,080
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$57,2803,000
Security Guards$25,7402,850
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$38,5802,580
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$65,8002,510
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$57,4302,500
Receptionists and Information Clerks$29,0402,350
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other$67,6702,240
Light Truck Drivers$40,7002,230
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$40,7602,220
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,6601,890
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$32,1101,890
Accountants and Auditors$65,5701,760
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$42,2901,740
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations$30,7901,630
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$63,4701,470
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$59,3101,380
Industrial Machinery Mechanics$59,7701,370
Medical Assistants$35,5101,330
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$60,9701,270

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