A Career Guide for Accountants in Georgetown, Kentucky

Georgetown, Kentucky, is a city that often surprises outsiders. Nestled just north of the Lexington metro area, it’s the fastest-growing city in the state, yet it retains a distinct small-town feel. For an accountant, this presents a unique opportunity: access to a strong job market with a low cost of living. I’ve lived in Central Kentucky for years, and I’ve watched Georgetown transform from a quiet town into a bustling hub. This guide is designed to give you the unvarnished, data-driven facts you need to decide if it’s the right place to build your career.

Let’s start with the numbers that matter most.

The Salary Picture: Where Georgetown Stands

Kentucky isn’t known for astronomical salaries, but the low cost of living here makes a moderate salary go a long way. For accountants, the numbers are solid, especially when you factor in the local economy.

The median salary for an Accountant in Georgetown is $84,298 per year. This translates to an hourly rate of $40.53. It’s important to note that this is slightly below the national average for accountants, which sits at $86,080/year. The difference is minimal (about 2%) and is almost entirely offset by the significantly lower living costs here.

The job market is specialized but steady. There are approximately 76 accounting jobs in the metro area at any given time. The 10-year job growth projection is 4%, which aligns with the national average for the profession. This isn’t a boomtown for accounting, but it’s a stable, growing market with consistent demand.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Like any profession, your earnings will climb with experience. Here’s how salaries typically break down in this region:

Experience Level	Typical Years of Experience	Estimated Salary Range (Georgetown, KY)
Entry-Level	0-2	$55,000 - $68,000
Mid-Level	3-7	$70,000 - $85,000
Senior-Level	8-15	$85,000 - $95,000
Expert/Managerial	15+	$95,000 - $115,000+

Note: These ranges are estimates based on local job postings and BLS data for the region. The median $84,298 falls squarely in the mid-to-senior level.

How Georgetown Compares to Other Kentucky Cities

Georgetown offers a strong value proposition when compared to the state's larger metros.

• Louisville & Lexington: Both larger cities have slightly higher median salaries (often in the $88,000 - $92,000 range), but the cost of living—particularly rent and home prices—is 15-25% higher. The commute from Georgetown to Lexington is only about 20-25 minutes via I-75, making it a viable option for a higher salary while living in a more affordable area.
• Bowling Green & Owensboro: These cities have similar cost-of-living profiles to Georgetown but often have slightly lower salary averages for accountants, as their economies are more focused on manufacturing and logistics rather than the professional services and healthcare sectors that dominate the Lexington-Georgetown corridor.

Insider Tip: If you’re a mid-career accountant, the sweet spot is often working for a firm or company in Lexington (where salaries are higher) while living in Georgetown. The commute is predictable, and the savings on housing are substantial.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A salary is just a number until you see what’s left after the essentials. Let’s break down the take-home pay for an accountant earning the median salary of $84,298 in Georgetown.

First, taxes. For a single filer in 2024, after federal, state (Kentucky has a flat 4.5% income tax), and FICA (7.65%) deductions, you can expect to take home approximately 65-70% of your gross pay. This leaves you with a net monthly income of around $4,600 - $4,900.

Now, let’s budget based on that net income.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Accountant Earning $84,298/Year)

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Housing (1BR Rent)	$837	The city average. Can range from $750-$1,000.
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Water, Internet)	$180	Georgetown has moderate utility costs.
Car Payment & Insurance	$400	Assumes a moderate car payment. Insurance is lower in KY.
Groceries & Household	$350	Georgetown has several affordable grocery options (Kroger, Walmart).
Health Insurance (if not employer-paid)	$300	Varies greatly; use this as a placeholder.
Retirement Savings (10% of gross)	$700	Strongly recommended to max out 401(k) or IRA.
Discretionary Spending (Entertainment, Dining, etc.)	$700	Georgetown has a growing scene, but you can save here.
Student Loan / Other Debt	$300	Highly variable; adjust as needed.
Total	$3,767	Leaves ~$800-$1,100/month for extra savings or goals.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?

Yes, absolutely. The median home price in Georgetown is approximately $230,000 (as of 2024). With a $84,298 salary, a standard 20% down payment ($46,000) is a significant but achievable goal for a mid-career professional, possibly after a few years of saving.

A $184,000 mortgage (after the down payment) at a current rate of ~6.5% would result in a monthly payment of around $1,160 (including taxes and insurance). This is higher than renting, but it builds equity. Given the low cost of living and the city's growth, buying a home here is a sound financial move for most accountants who plan to stay 5+ years.

The Where the Jobs Are: Georgetown's Major Employers

Georgetown’s job market is anchored by a few key sectors: automotive manufacturing, healthcare, and education. Accountants are needed in all of them, both in corporate roles and at local firms.

1. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK): The largest employer in the region. While the plant itself is in Georgetown, their financial operations are significant. They hire for cost accounting, financial analysis, and internal audit roles. The culture is stable, benefits are excellent, and the company invests heavily in employee training.
2. Georgetown Community Hospital: Part of the Lifepoint Health network. Hospitals have complex financial needs, from patient billing and revenue cycle management to budgeting for departments. This is a prime spot for accountants with healthcare industry knowledge or a willingness to learn it.
3. Georgetown College: As a private liberal arts college, they employ accountants for financial aid, university budgeting, and endowment management. Roles here often come with excellent benefits, including tuition remission.
4. Scott County School District: One of the fastest-growing school districts in KY. They need accountants for budgeting, grant management, and payroll for thousands of employees. Public sector jobs offer stability and a pension.
5. Local & Regional CPA Firms: Firms like Cherry, Bekaert & Holland (has an office in nearby Lexington but serves Georgetown clients) and smaller local practices (e.g., Hill, Truitt, & Co.) handle accounting and tax for local businesses. This is where you’ll find roles in public accounting, often with a focus on small-to-midsize business clients.
6. Amazon (nearby in Lexington): While not in Georgetown proper, Amazon’s massive fulfillment center in Lexington is a 25-minute drive and is a major source of accounting and finance jobs, particularly in logistics and inventory accounting.

Hiring Trends: There is consistent demand for staff accountants and financial analysts in manufacturing and healthcare. The rise of remote work has also allowed Georgetown-based accountants to work for companies in Lexington, Louisville, or even out-of-state, without leaving their low-cost home base.

Getting Licensed in KY

To practice as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Kentucky, you must follow the state's specific requirements, which are administered by the Kentucky Board of Accountancy.

• Education: A 120-credit-hour bachelor’s degree is the minimum to sit for the CPA exam, but you need 150 credit hours to get the license. Most candidates earn a master’s in accounting or a second bachelor’s to meet this.
• Exam: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam (AUD, BEC, FAR, REG) within an 18-month rolling window. Exam fees are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 total.
• Experience: You need one year (2,000 hours) of accounting experience under the supervision of a licensed CPA. This can be in public accounting, industry, or government.
• Ethics Exam: Pass the Kentucky-specific ethics exam.
• Cost & Timeline: Total costs (exam fees, study materials, application fees) can run $3,000 - $5,000. The timeline from starting your education to getting licensed is typically 5-6 years (4-year degree + 1 year of experience + exam time).

Insider Tip: The Kentucky Board of Accountancy website is your best resource. Start familiarizing yourself with the requirements early, especially the 150-hour rule. Many local employers, including Toyota and hospitals, offer tuition assistance for graduate degrees.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Georgetown is compact, and commute times are minimal. Your choice of neighborhood will depend more on lifestyle and budget than a long drive to work.

1. Downtown Georgetown: The heart of the city. Charming historic homes, walkable to local shops and restaurants like The Ole Dude and Pazzo Pizza. Ideal for those who want a vibrant, community-focused lifestyle. Rent for a 1BR in or near downtown is typically $850 - $1,000.
2. Becknester Park / North Georgetown: Established neighborhoods with larger, older homes and mature trees. Very quiet, family-friendly, and close to the Georgetown-Scott County Parks & Recreation facilities. Commute to any major employer is under 10 minutes. Rent for a 1BR is closer to the city average, $750 - $900.
3. Liberty Quarter / The Villages at Georgetown: Newer developments on the south and east sides of town. These offer modern apartment complexes and new construction homes. Great for young professionals who prefer updated amenities and a shorter commute to the Toyota plant or Georgetown College. Rent is slightly higher, $900 - $1,100.
4. Paris Pike (Corridor toward Lexington): If you prefer a bit more space and don’t mind a 10-minute drive into town, areas along Paris Pike offer a more rural feel with larger lots. You get more for your money in terms of square footage. Rent for a 1BR might be difficult to find, but a 2BR house could be $1,200 - $1,400.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Georgetown is not a city for massive salary leaps every two years, but it’s excellent for building a stable, long-term career with incremental growth.

• Specialty Premiums: Accountants with expertise in manufacturing cost accounting (thanks to Toyota) or healthcare revenue cycle (for the hospital) can command salaries at the higher end of the range. ERP system knowledge (like SAP or Oracle) is also a significant plus for local employers.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is Staff Accountant -> Senior Accountant -> Accounting Manager or Controller. In a smaller market, you may reach a senior role faster than in a large city due to less competition, but the top-tier ceiling (CFO, Partner) is lower. Many successful accountants establish their own CPA practice serving local businesses after gaining 10-15 years of experience.
• 10-Year Outlook: With the 4% job growth and continued expansion of the Lexington metro area, the demand for accountants in Georgetown will remain steady. The rise of remote work is a game-changer, allowing local accountants to access national salary ranges without leaving the area.

The Verdict: Is Georgetown Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: A $84,298 salary feels like a six-figure income in many other cities.	Limited High-End Opportunities: The ceiling for very senior (C-suite) roles is limited locally.
Stable Job Market: Anchored by major, recession-resistant employers like Toyota and healthcare.	Smaller Networking Pool: Fewer industry events and professional groups than in Louisville or Lexington.
Short Commutes: Almost no traffic, giving you back valuable personal time.	Slower Pace of Life: If you crave a bustling, 24/7 city vibe, Georgetown may feel too quiet.
Easy Access to Lexington: You can tap into a larger job market and cultural scene with a 20-minute drive.	Growth Pains: Rapid expansion is straining some infrastructure (schools, roads).
Strong Community Feel: It’s easy to get involved and build a network.	Salary Slightly Below National Average: Though the cost-of-living adjustment makes it a net positive.

Final Recommendation: Georgetown is an excellent choice for mid-career accountants (5-15 years experience) seeking to maximize their quality of life and financial stability. It’s ideal for those who value a short commute, a safe community, and home ownership. It may be less ideal for a brand-new graduate seeking a cutthroat, high-growth career in a major financial center, or for a top-tier executive aiming for a Fortune 500 CFO role.

FAQs

1. What’s the commute really like from Georgetown to Lexington?
It’s one of the easiest commutes in the state. I-75 South is a straight shot. During peak rush hour (7-8 AM, 5-6 PM), it can take 25-30 minutes. Outside those times, it’s usually 15-20 minutes. Public transit is not a viable option.

2. How competitive is the job market with just a bachelor’s degree?
A bachelor’s degree (120 credits) will get you in the door for staff accountant roles, especially in industry. However, for the best long-term prospects and to earn the CPA license, you will need the 150 credits. Many local employers prefer or eventually require the CPA for senior roles.

3. Are there networking opportunities for accountants?
Yes, but you’ll need to be proactive. The Kentucky Society of CPAs (KSCPA) has a Lexington chapter that hosts events. Joining it is essential. Additionally, the Georgetown-Scott County Chamber of Commerce is very active and a great place to meet local business owners who need accounting services.

4. Is it better to live in Georgetown or Lexington if I work in Georgetown?
For most, living in Georgetown is the better choice. You’ll save significantly on rent and home prices, have a negligible commute, and be part of a tighter-knit community. Living in Lexington only makes sense if you want a more urban lifestyle and are willing to pay a premium for it.

5. What’s the vibe like for young professionals?
It’s growing but still modest. You won’t find a dense nightlife scene, but there are several breweries (like Country Boy Brewing in Lexington, but with a local feel), coffee shops, and community events. Many young professionals in Georgetown frequently socialize in nearby Lexington for more options. The key is to get involved in local groups to build your circle.