Environmental Engineer.
Lexington.
$79,000
median salary, 12% below the national average
$61,000 to $101,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Lexington is 14% cheaper than the national average. For Environmental Engineers, that shakes out to a median of $79,000, with the full range spanning $61,000 to $101,000. PE licensure, specialization in water treatment or air quality, and experience with EPA regulatory compliance drive the biggest salary differences. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $71,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$51,000
to $63,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$67,000
to $83,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$87,000
to $103,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$99,000
to $122,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $22,000 to the total package.
Base
$79,000
Equity
$12,000
Bonus
$8,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $101,000
How Lexington compares
Lexington, KY
$79,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$90,000
Lexington is $11,000 below
Environmental Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Lexington
What you should know
Here is what the Environmental Engineer market actually looks like in Lexington. Lexington is Kentucky's second largest city with an economy driven by the University of Kentucky, healthcare, and the equine industry. A growing tech startup scene and affordable cost of living are attracting remote workers. The bourbon and manufacturing sectors also contribute to the local economy. PE licensure, specialization in water treatment or air quality, and experience with EPA regulatory compliance drive the biggest salary differences. Engineers working on remediation of contaminated sites or in the oil and gas sector earn premiums for hazardous conditions expertise.
Junior Environmental Engineers earn $70,000 to $80,000. Mid-career engineers with PE licensure reach $88,000 to $105,000. Senior Engineers and Project Managers command $105,000 to $130,000, while Principal Engineers and Directors at consulting firms exceed $145,000. In Lexington, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 14% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. PE-licensed engineers receive immediate salary bumps of 10 to 15%. Annual bonuses of 5 to 12% are typical at consulting firms. Government roles offer pension benefits and strong job security, though base salaries trend 10 to 15% lower than private sector. And on the tax side: kentucky has a flat 4% state income tax. Lexington has an occupational tax of about 2.25%. The combined rate is moderate and the very affordable housing stretches salaries further. When someone quotes you $79,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage UK Health and the medical corridor when negotiating. Healthcare and biotech roles command nationally competitive salaries in Lexington. The range for Environmental Engineers in Lexington runs from $61,000 to $101,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Physical Therapist in Lexington earns $78,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Lexington is Distinguished Engineer at $275,000
Common questions.
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