Payroll Services in Kentucky: Costs, Taxes and Best Providers (2026)
Payroll services for a Kentucky business cost $44 to $130 per month for 1 to 10 employees at entry-tier list prices as of November 2026, and every major provider files Kentucky payroll taxes. Because Kentucky has local or special payroll taxes, choose a provider that files local returns automatically.
Prices verified November 2026
What Kentucky employers must handle
Kentucky has a flat state income tax plus occupational license taxes in many cities and counties, including Louisville and Lexington.
| State income tax withholding | Yes |
| Local or special payroll taxes | Yes — confirm your provider files them |
| State unemployment insurance (SUTA) | Yes — every state; rate assigned to your business annually |
| Federal (FICA, FUTA, income tax) | Yes — handled by every provider listed |
| Where to register | Kentucky Department of Revenue |
Minimum wage, SUTA rates and new-hire reporting deadlines change; check Kentucky Department of Revenue for current figures. Every provider on this page files Kentucky payroll taxes.
Payroll prices for a Kentucky business
| Provider (entry plan) | Base / mo | Per employee | 1 emp. | 5 emp. | 10 emp. | 25 emp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADP — Essential (quote; est.) | $79 | $5 | $84* | $104* | $129* | $204* |
| Paychex — Flex Essentials (higher tiers quoted) | $39 | $5 | $44 | $64 | $89 | $164 |
| Gusto — Simple | $49 | $6 | $55 | $79 | $109 | $199 |
| OnPay — Payroll Essentials | $49 | $6 | $55 | $79 | $109 | $199 |
| QuickBooks Payroll — Workforce Payroll (Core) | $50 | $7 | $57 | $85 | $120 | $225 |
| Rippling — Platform (required) (higher tiers quoted) | $40 | $8 | $48 | $80 | $120 | $240 |
* Estimate for quote-only providers based on publicly reported quotes; ADP bills per pay run so a weekly payroll costs more. Prices are list prices before promotions.
Want Kentucky providers to quote your real headcount? Providers quote below list for the right customer. Tell us your headcount and up to 4 of them compete. Free, about a minute.
Get my quotesBest payroll providers for Kentucky employers
Paychex
Owners who want a named human to call, businesses considering a PEO later, and anyone bundling payroll with workers' comp or retirement.
ADP
Businesses that expect to grow past 50 employees, need benefits and retirement plans from one vendor, or want the most recognized brand when talking to lenders and accountants.
OnPay
Small businesses, farms, nonprofits and restaurants that want the lowest all-in price with no surprise fees, and free white-glove setup.
Get Kentucky payroll quotes
We send your headcount to the providers that serve Kentucky best. They come back with real quotes.
- Free, no obligation
- About a minute
- Up to 4 providers, you pick which
- Prices verified November 2026
Other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kentucky have state income tax on wages?
Yes. Kentucky employers withhold state income tax from employee pay and remit it to Kentucky Department of Revenue.
What is the cheapest payroll service in Kentucky?
OnPay and Gusto Simple both list at $49 per month plus $6 per person. Paychex Flex Essentials lists at $39 plus $5 but adds filing fees. For local tax filing, confirm the provider files, not just withholds.
Do I need to register my business for payroll in Kentucky?
Yes. Register with Kentucky Department of Revenue and with the state unemployment agency before your first payroll. Your provider can file on your behalf but usually needs the account numbers from you.