Salary data is based on the Lexington-Fayette, KY metropolitan area and applied to Lexington using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Audiologists Salaries in Lexington, KY

Average Base Pay

$83,940/yr

11% below national average

Monthly

$6,995

Hourly

$40

Cost Index

Audiologists in Lexington, KY earn an average of $83,940 per year, with most salaries falling between $67,152 and $100,728 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 11% below the national average, Lexington offers a more modest rate for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 78. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Lexington.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$63K
Low

$84K
Median

$105K
High

25th percentile: $71K75th percentile: $97K

About Audiologists

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) assess and treat communication disorders—including speech sound production, language comprehension and expression, fluency, voice, and social communication—as well as swallowing disorders (dysphagia) in patients across the lifespan. They work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, early intervention programs, private practices, and home health agencies. In schools, SLPs evaluate children for speech and language delays, develop individualized education program (IEP) goals, and provide direct therapy targeting articulation, language processing, social pragmatics, and augmentative communication. In medical settings, SLPs assess and treat patients with communication and swallowing disorders resulting from stroke, traumatic brain injury, progressive neurological diseases (Parkinson's, ALS, dementia), head and neck cancer, or developmental disabilities. Swallowing evaluations may involve clinical bedside assessment or instrumental studies such as the modified barium swallow or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). SLPs develop and implement treatment plans, educate caregivers and families, and collaborate with physicians, occupational therapists, and educators. A master's degree in speech-language pathology and passage of the Praxis examination are required for state licensure.

What Audiologists Do

Evaluate speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing function
Administer standardized tests and conduct clinical observations to identify disorders
Develop individualized treatment plans with measurable goals
Provide direct therapy for speech, language, cognitive-communication, or swallowing disorders
Perform instrumental swallowing assessments (MBSS, FEES)
Educate patients and caregivers on therapy strategies and home programs
Document evaluation findings, treatment plans, and session notes
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams in medical or educational settings

Key Skills & Qualifications

Diagnostic assessment of speech and language disorders
Dysphagia evaluation and treatment including instrumental studies
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems
Pediatric and adult therapy techniques
IEP development and school-based service delivery
Neurogenic communication disorders following brain injury or disease
Master's degree in speech-language pathology and state licensure (CCC-SLP)
Documentation in medical and educational records

Career Path

Clinical Fellow (SLP-CF)
Staff SLP
Senior SLP / Specialty SLP
Clinical Supervisor / Lead SLP
Director of Rehabilitation / Department Head

Audiologists Market in Lexington, KY

Salary Competitiveness

Lexington currently pays 11% below the national median for Audiologists. This gap can reflect a lower regional cost base, thinner employer density, or a surplus of qualified candidates relative to open roles—factors worth factoring into any offer negotiation or relocation calculation.

Cost of Living Impact

Lexington's cost of living runs below the national average, which works in favor of this salary. Essential monthly expenses account for approximately 41% of take-home pay—a ratio that leaves meaningful room for savings, debt reduction, and discretionary spending compared with higher-cost metros.

Effective Purchasing Power

After adjusting for local taxes and cost of living, a Audiologists earning $83,940 in Lexington reaches a strong purchasing-power position. The effective standard of living this income supports is materially higher than the gross number alone implies—a useful data point for professionals comparing offers across metro areas.

vs. National Avg

-11%

Cost Pressure

41%

Purchasing Power

Strong

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$61,276

Monthly

$5,106

Weekly

$1,178

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $83,940 for a Audiologists in Lexington translates to roughly $5,106 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $2,098—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $3,008 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Lexington's current market.

How far does this salary go in Lexington?

Cost of Living in Lexington

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Lexington, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

Below Avg — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$1,120/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$430/mo

🚗Transportation$120/mo

💡Utilities$150/mo

🏥Healthcare$278/mo

Monthly$2,098

Annual$25,176

Disposable Income$3,008

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Lexington to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$5,106

Living Costs

$2,098

Disposable

$3,008

Cost Index

Lifestyle

Comfortable

With a monthly take-home of $5,106, your estimated living costs in Lexington are $2,098 ($25,176/yr). This leaves $3,008 per month in disposable income, indicating a comfortable standard of living. Lexington's cost of living is 22% below the national average.

Overall, a Audiologists earning $83,940 in Lexington falls into a comfortable lifestyle tier and has meaningful room to save, invest, and absorb unexpected expenses without financial stress. With a cost index of 78, Lexington is 22% more affordable than the national average, which extends your purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Lexington continue to evolve.