Kentucky prevailing wage rates, by county
What contractors must pay each trade on federally funded jobs in Kentucky, county by county. Wage plus fringe, next to what the same trade earns on private work.
$63.40/hrTypical union electrician ratewage + fringe, per hour
78%Counties on a union rateelectricians, Building
106Wage determinationsKentucky
Jul 30Latest change2026, SAM.gov
Look up the prevailing wage in your Kentucky county
Rates by county for the main trades
Rates are set by county, not by city. The Kentucky metros with their own pay pages are Cincinnati (Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Gallatin and more); Louisville (Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Meade and more). Click any county below for every trade on its determination.
Highest electrician rates
Lowest
Building construction, wage + fringe per hour. Counties sharing one rate are grouped. Solid is a union rate, hatched is a survey rate. Click a county for every trade.
Union contract rateSurvey rate (marked * in the table)
| County | Electrician | Plumber | Carpenter | Construction laborer | Heavy equipment operator | Ironworker | Sheet metal worker | Painter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adair | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Allen | $63.40 | $64.54 | $18.67* | $12.50* | $36.00* | $33.04* | $65.98 | $50.92 |
| Anderson | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Ballard | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Barren | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Bath | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Bell | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Boone | $61.02 | $62.66 | $33.66* | $46.05 | $35.47* | $61.67 | $60.24 | $42.30 |
| Bourbon | $63.40 | $62.66 | $29.39* | $45.51 | $37.70* | $61.97 | $60.24 | $34.68* |
| Boyd | $70.50 | $62.66 | $63.61 | $36.94* | $35.47* | $43.63* | $60.24 | $55.91 |
| Boyle | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Bracken | $61.02 | $62.66 | $33.68* | $46.05 | $35.47* | $61.67 | $60.24 | $42.30 |
| Breathitt | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Breckinridge | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Bullitt | $63.40 | $66.79 | $53.14 | $40.01 | $25.99* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $34.68* |
| Butler | $63.40 | $64.54 | $18.67* | $12.50* | $36.00* | $33.04* | $65.98 | $50.92 |
| Caldwell | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Calloway | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Campbell | $61.02 | $62.66 | $51.50 | $46.05 | $35.47* | $61.67 | $60.24 | $42.30 |
| Carlisle | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Carroll | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $41.03* | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Carter | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $38.08* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Casey | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Christian | $39.71* | $64.54 | $28.88* | $18.04* | $35.60* | $33.04* | $43.13* | $50.92 |
| Clark | $63.40 | $62.66 | $29.39* | $45.51 | $37.70* | $61.97 | $60.24 | $34.68* |
| Clay | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Clinton | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Crittenden | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Cumberland | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Daviess | $57.13 | $64.54 | $33.82* | $25.79* | $36.48* | $38.45* | $65.98 | $50.92 |
| Edmonson | $63.40 | $64.54 | $18.67* | $12.50* | $36.00* | $33.04* | $65.98 | $50.92 |
| Elliott | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Estill | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Fayette | $63.40 | $62.66 | $28.92* | $45.51 | $37.25* | $61.97 | $60.24 | $34.68* |
| Fleming | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Floyd | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Franklin | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Fulton | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Gallatin | $61.02 | $62.66 | $33.68* | $46.05 | $35.47* | $61.67 | $60.24 | $42.30 |
| Garrard | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Grant | $61.02 | $62.66 | $33.68* | $46.05 | $35.47* | $61.67 | $60.24 | $42.30 |
| Graves | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Grayson | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Green | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Greenup | $70.50 | $62.66 | $63.61 | $36.94* | $35.47* | $43.63* | $60.24 | $55.91 |
| Hancock | $57.13 | $64.54 | $33.82* | $25.79* | $36.48* | $38.45* | $65.98 | $50.92 |
| Hardin | $63.40 | $66.79 | $31.31* | $24.08* | $37.35* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $34.68* |
| Harlan | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Harrison | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Hart | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Henderson | $57.13 | $64.54 | $24.50* | $48.09 | $36.00* | $33.04* | $65.98 | $50.92 |
| Henry | $63.40 | $66.79 | $53.14 | $40.01 | $25.99* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $34.68* |
| Hickman | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Hopkins | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $28.45* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Jackson | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Jefferson | $63.40 | $66.79 | $53.14 | $40.01 | $25.99* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $34.68* |
| Jessamine | $63.40 | $62.66 | $29.39* | $45.51 | $37.70* | $61.97 | $60.24 | $34.68* |
| Johnson | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Kenton | $61.02 | $62.66 | $36.22* | $46.05 | $35.47* | $61.67 | $60.24 | $42.30 |
| Knott | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Knox | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Larue | $63.40 | $66.79 | $31.31* | $24.16* | $37.35* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $34.68* |
| Laurel | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $17.06* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Lawrence | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $37.90* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Lee | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Leslie | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Letcher | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Lewis | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Lincoln | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Livingston | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Logan | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Lyon | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Madison | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Magoffin | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Marion | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Marshall | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $60.25 | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Martin | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Mason | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $43.16* | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| McCracken | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $40.84* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| McCreary | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| McLean | $57.13 | $64.54 | $33.82* | $25.79* | $36.48* | $38.45* | $65.98 | $50.92 |
| Meade | $63.40 | $66.79 | $31.31* | $24.16* | $37.35* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $34.68* |
| Menifee | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Mercer | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $30.38* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Metcalfe | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Monroe | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Montgomery | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $21.65* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Morgan | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Muhlenberg | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Nelson | $63.40 | $66.79 | $53.14 | $22.05* | $25.99* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $34.68* |
| Nicholas | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Ohio | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Oldham | $63.40 | $66.79 | $53.14 | $40.01 | $25.99* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $34.68* |
| Owen | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Owsley | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Pendleton | $61.02 | $62.66 | $33.68* | $46.05 | $35.47* | $61.67 | $60.24 | $42.30 |
| Perry | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Pike | $53.67* | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.06* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Powell | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Pulaski | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $41.01 | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Robertson | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Rockcastle | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Rowan | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $35.43* |
| Russell | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Scott | $63.40 | $62.66 | $29.39* | $45.51 | $37.70* | $61.97 | $60.24 | $34.68* |
| Shelby | $63.40 | $66.79 | $53.14 | $40.01 | $25.99* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $34.68* |
| Simpson | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Spencer | $63.40 | $66.79 | $53.14 | $40.01 | $25.99* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $34.68* |
| Taylor | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Todd | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Trigg | $39.71* | $64.54 | $30.89* | $18.04* | $39.39* | $33.04* | $43.13* | $50.92 |
| Trimble | $63.40 | $66.79 | $53.14 | $40.01 | $25.99* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $34.68* |
| Union | $55.89 | $64.54 | $32.98* | $29.14* | $38.03* | $62.12 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Warren | $63.40 | $64.54 | $18.67* | $12.50* | $36.00* | $33.04* | $65.98 | $50.92 |
| Washington | $42.47* | $43.98* | $32.78* | $28.32* | $35.16* | $61.97 | $65.98 | $32.42* |
| Wayne | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Webster | $57.13 | $64.54 | $24.50* | $48.09 | $36.00* | $33.04* | $65.98 | $50.92 |
| Whitley | $70.50 | $50.08* | $50.34 | $23.08* | $34.11* | $37.71* | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Wolfe | $70.50 | $51.38* | $37.32* | $31.56* | $34.61* | $69.29 | $65.98 | $58.24 |
| Woodford | $63.40 | $62.66 | $29.39* | $45.51 | $37.70* | $61.97 | $60.24 | $34.68* |
Building construction, wage + fringe per hour, current revision. * = survey rate. Not the official determination: the lookup gives the determination number and a link to the official text.
Prevailing wage vs market pay in Kentucky
The prevailing wage is what federally funded jobs must pay. The market median is what Kentucky employers report paying across all work, with no benefits in it. Every trade in the state is ranked on the highest-paying trades in Kentucky page, and every state is compared on the prevailing wage rates by state page.
| Trade | Market median $/hr | Prevailing wage $/hr (wage + fringe) | Rate type | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician in Kentucky | $28.71 | $63.40 | Union | +$34.69 |
| Plumber in Kentucky | $30.84 | $64.54 | Union | +$33.70 |
| Carpenter in Kentucky | $25.33 | $50.34 | Union | +$25.01 |
| Construction laborer in Kentucky | $21.98 | $45.51 | Union | +$23.53 |
| Heavy equipment operator in Kentucky | $27.78 | $60.25 | Union | +$32.47 |
| Ironworker in Kentucky | $30.80 | $61.97 | Union | +$31.17 |
| Sheet metal worker in Kentucky | $29.17 | $65.98 | Union | +$36.81 |
| Painter in Kentucky | $23.13 | $58.24 | Union | +$35.11 |
Prevailing wage is the typical Davis-Bacon rate across counties with one, Building construction. The market median has no benefits in it, so the gap is bigger than the difference in take-home pay. Not the official determination.
Questions this page answers
What is the prevailing wage in Kentucky?
On federally funded construction in Kentucky, it is the Davis-Bacon rate: a wage plus a fringe amount for benefits, set by county and trade in 106 wage determinations covering Building, Residential, Heavy and Highway work. Electricians are on a union rate in 94 of the 120 counties with a Building rate, and the typical union rate is $63.40 an hour, wage and fringe together.
How many Davis-Bacon wage determinations cover Kentucky?
106 active determinations cover Kentucky: 44 Building, 42 Heavy, 4 Highway, 16 Residential. The Building ones list rates for 120 counties, shown on this page. This page covers the federal rates; state-funded jobs may fall under Kentucky's own prevailing wage law.
How often do the rates change?
The Department of Labor publishes changes most Thursdays. The latest change to a Kentucky determination in our data is dated 2026-07-30. New determination numbers come out each January.
Sources and notes
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations for Kentucky, current revisions as of 2026-11-13: Residential 16, Building 44, Highway 4, Heavy 42.
- BLS OEWS May 2025 for market medians.
- Trade names simplified from the official classification labels by Skilled Wages; where a determination lists several electrician or laborer classes, the journeyman or general class is shown. The official text governs.