More than 696,000 people (and thousands of businesses) contribute to the Lexington metro area’s $30 billion economy. But have you ever wondered about the Horse Capital of the World’s heaviest hitters?
Consider this Lexington Business 101 — your guide to our region’s seven key industries and 10 major employers.
Note: When we say the Lexington metro area, that refers to Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Montgomery, Scott, and Woodford counties.
The key industries
There are seven key industries that represent ~71% of the Lexington metro area’s economy, based on data from Commerce Lexington. We’ve listed them in order of employment numbers.
Manufacturing | 15.7% or 43,313 employees
The Bluegrass Region is home to manufacturing companies such as Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Lockheed Martin, and Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas Inc. This sector also includes some of the highest wage-payers in the area.
Healthcare and social services | 15.4% or 42,491 employees
UK Healthcare, Baptist Health, CHI Saint Joseph Health, and Veterans — along with their regional hospitals and offices — take the lion’s share of this sector’s employment.
Retail: Home, Food, Automobiles, Personal Care | 13.8% or 38,247 employees
Think of your favorite local businesses that keep clothes on our backs, and food and books on our shelves.
Accommodation and food services | 12.6% or 34,871 employees
With classic Kentucky sites and sounds, like bourbon, basketball, and horse racing, it’s no wonder Lexington is booming with boutique hotels, local restaurants, and more.
Administration and support, waste management and remediation | 8.9% or 24,688 employees
In case you forgot, Lexington metro is home to global, digital waste solutions company Rubicon Waste Management.
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 8.5% or 23,328 employees
Higher education and major companies calling the Lexington metro home means that there’s a strong demand for services such as accounting, engineering, consulting, and research.
Construction | 7.9% or 22,037 employees
When you account for the federal, state, and local employees, plus ongoing developments happening around the region, it adds up to a lot.
The major players
Now that we’ve established the major industries, we bet you’re curious about specific names. Whether you’re job hunting (or just “casually prospecting”), here are 12 major employers — all that employ more than 5,000 workers on average.
University of Kentucky
25,574 employees | Education, Healthcare | Search jobs
Big Blue Nation takes the No. 1 seed on this list thanks to both the university and the hospital. The University was founded 1865 and is home to 200+ academic programs and 16 degree-granting colleges.
Kentucky State Government
11,210 employees | Government | Search jobs
More than just politics, working for the state provides opportunities in nursing, family support, social work, as well as corrections, probation, and parole.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing
9,700 employees | Automotive manufacturing | Search jobs
In its 36 years in Georgetown, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, better known as TMMK, has produced more than 26 million vehicles and engines. It’s also given $147 million to nonprofit partners across the Commonwealth.
Fayette County Public Schools
5,710 employees | Education | Search jobs
FCPS services 40,000+ students through 37 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and six high schools. The school district also has three technical centers and 15 other alternative programs.
Amazon
5,034 employees | Distribution | Search jobs
The online retail giant expanded its footprint in 2021 by opening a second distribution facility. The arrival of this delivery station brought hundreds of new full- and part-time jobs.
Baptist Health
3,189 employees | Healthcare | Search jobs
You can’t get down Nicholasville Road without passing the sprawling Baptist Health campus. It set down roots locally in 1954 and has been recognized for its heart and cancer care. It’s also expanding with a new Hamburg campus, which is expected to open in spring 2024 and add 600 more jobs.
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
2,784 employees | Government | Search jobs
They do it all. From public safety to parks and recreation, LFUCG helps keep Lexingtonians informed, safe, and moving forward. Pro tip: There are dozens of jobs available, check them out here.
Conduent
2,250 employees | Outsourcing | Search jobs
A leader in business process outsourcing, Conduent boasts a client list of 500+ governments and the majority of Fortune 100 companies.
Catholic Health Initiatives
2,029 employees | Healthcare | Search jobs
Known by most as CHI Saint Joseph Health, the hospital system has multiple locations around Lexington.
2,000 employees | Healthcare | Search jobs
Dedicated to our local veterans and their families, the Veterans Medical Center offers primary care as well as specialized care and social support groups.
