ESG Analyst.
Lexington.
$81,000
median salary, 12% below the national average
$62,000 to $108,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
The median ESG Analyst salary in Lexington is $81,000, 12% below the national average. Entry level starts near $62,000. Experienced professionals push past $108,000. Lexington is Kentucky's second largest city with an economy driven by the University of Kentucky, healthcare, and the equine industry. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $73,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$53,000
to $65,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$69,000
to $85,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$89,000
to $105,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$101,000
to $126,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $18,000 to the total package.
Base
$81,000
Equity
$10,000
Bonus
$6,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $99,000
How Lexington compares
Lexington, KY
$81,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$92,000
Lexington is $11,000 below
ESG Analyst salary by city
Salary by role in Lexington
What you should know
If you are interviewing for ESG Analyst roles in Lexington, here is what you are walking into. 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. Financial analysis background, expertise in ESG rating frameworks like MSCI and Sustainalytics, and experience with regulatory reporting create the widest salary gaps. Analysts at asset managers, investment banks, or large corporations earn 20 to 30% more than those at nonprofits or small consultancies.
Junior ESG Analysts start at $70,000 to $82,000. Mid-level analysts with regulatory expertise earn $88,000 to $108,000. Senior ESG Analysts and Managers command $110,000 to $135,000, while Directors and Heads of ESG at investment firms exceed $160,000. 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. Analysts at financial institutions receive performance bonuses of 15 to 30%. RSUs at public companies add $10,000 to $30,000 annually. The competitive talent market means signing bonuses of $5,000 to $15,000 are increasingly common. 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 $81,000, 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 ESG Analysts in Lexington runs from $62,000 to $108,000. 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 Circular Economy Consultant in Lexington earns $80,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Lexington is Distinguished Engineer at $275,000
Common questions.
ESG Analyst salary in other cities
Other salaries in Lexington
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.