Salary comparison
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Helena vs Lexington
Lexington, KY pays about 11.2% more for miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators on paper — $59,730 vs $53,710. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Lexington comes out ahead by $6,020 a year in real buying power.
Helena, MT
$53,710
$38,240
$67,090
$25.82
100
$53,710/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Lexington, KY
$59,730
$47,520
$78,330
$28.72
100
$59,730/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $6,020 a year (11.2%) in favor of Lexington. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Helena runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Lexington sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Lexington is the better deal by $6,020 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Helena to Lexington for this role, the raise needs to beat 11.2% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators earn more, Helena or Lexington?
Lexington pays $59,730 on median — about 11.2% more than Helena ($53,710). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Lexington. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Lexington gives you roughly$59,730 of real buying power versus $53,710 in the other city.