Employee Cost: Kentucky vs Washington (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of employer costs, payroll taxes, SUTA rates, and workers' comp.
At a $60,000 salary
Kentucky saves $1,527/employee/year
$65,331 in Kentucky vs $66,858 in Washington
Kentucky
$65,331
1.09x salary
Washington
$66,858
1.11x salary
Cost Breakdown Comparison
Based on $60,000 annual salary
| Cost Component | KY | WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $60,000 | $60,000 | — |
| Social Security (6.2%) | $3,720 | $3,720 | — |
| Medicare (1.45%) | $870 | $870 | — |
| FUTA (0.6%) | $42 | $42 | — |
| SUTA (State Unemployment) | $111 | $1,050 | -$939 |
| Workers' Compensation | $588 | $888 | -$300 |
| State-Mandated Insurance | $0 | $288 | -$288 |
| Total Employer Cost | $65,331 | $66,858 | -$1,527 |
Tax Rate Comparison
| Rate | Kentucky | Washington |
|---|---|---|
| SUTA Rate Range | 0.1% – 9.0% | 0.2% – 5.8% |
| SUTA Typical Rate | 1.0% | 1.75% |
| SUTA Wage Base | $11,100 | $67,600 |
| Workers' Comp Rate | 0.98% | 1.48% |
| State Income Tax | Yes | No |
| Paid Family Leave | Not required | 0.48% |
What This Means for Employers
For a business hiring at a $60,000 salary, choosing Kentucky over Washington saves $1,527 per employee per year in employer-side payroll costs alone. For a team of 10, that's $15,270 annually.
The biggest difference comes from SUTA (state unemployment tax) — Kentucky charges 1.0% vs Washington's 1.75%. Note that federal taxes (Social Security, Medicare, FUTA) are identical in both states.
These numbers reflect employer-side costs only and don't include benefits, overhead, or the employee's own tax burden. Use the interactive Employee Cost Calculator to model different salary levels and benefits packages.
Explore Each State
Cost Comparison at Different Salary Levels
How the gap changes from $30K to $150K
| Salary | KY Total | WA Total | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $32,742 | $33,450 | -$708 |
| $40,000 | $43,605 | $44,586 | -$981 |
| $50,000 | $54,468 | $55,722 | -$1,254 |
| $60,000 | $65,331 | $66,858 | -$1,527 |
| $75,000 | $81,626 | $83,433 | -$1,807 |
| $100,000 | $108,783 | $110,835 | -$2,052 |
| $125,000 | $135,941 | $138,238 | -$2,297 |
| $150,000 | $163,098 | $165,640 | -$2,542 |
Click any amount to see the full cost breakdown for that salary and state. Amounts shown from the perspective of KY.
More State Comparisons
More Free Calculators
Break-Even Calculator
Find how many units to sell to cover costs
Markup & Margin
Convert between markup and margin percentages
Startup Cost Estimator
Estimate one-time and recurring startup costs
Loan Comparison
Compare loan options side by side
Profit Margin Calculator
Calculate gross, operating, and net margins
Employee Cost Calculator
Find the true cost of hiring an employee
Payroll Tax Calculator
Estimate employer payroll taxes by state
Get Free Business Tips
Join small business owners getting weekly financial tips and calculator updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe with one click.