Highest-paying trades in Kentucky
26 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in Kentucky, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $46.64 | $97,020 | $94.00 | 2,990 | 47th of 51 | -5.1% | 16% below |
| 2 | Lineman | $37.03 | $77,020 | $49.23 | 2,930 | 44th of 51 | -4.1% | 19% below |
| 3 | Boilermaker | $35.97 | $74,810 | $42.27 | 150 | 26th of 37 | -0.0% | 2% below |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $35.33 | $73,490 | $47.90 | 9,620 | 47th of 51 | -5.3% | 8% below |
| 5 | Millwright | $33.95 | $70,610 | $41.65 | 1,220 | 17th of 48 | +0.1% | 7% above |
| 6 | Plumber | $30.84 | $64,160 | $45.53 | 6,360 | 24th of 51 | +1.2% | 1% above |
| 7 | Ironworker | $30.80 | $64,060 | $47.29 | 990 | 25th of 50 | -5.6% | 2% above |
| 8 | Crane operator | $29.81 | $62,000 | $43.11 | 640 | 36th of 50 | -4.1% | 9% below |
| 9 | Sheet metal worker | $29.17 | $60,680 | $41.01 | 2,210 | 30th of 50 | +12.6% | 2% below |
| 10 | Brickmason | $28.76 | $59,820 | $37.46 | 780 | 31st of 50 | +1.2% | 4% below |
| 11 | Electrician | $28.71 | $59,720 | $40.99 | 11,030 | 43rd of 51 | -8.7% | 5% below |
| 12 | Machinist | $28.20 | $58,660 | $37.51 | 6,040 | 29th of 51 | +3.1% | about the same as |
| 13 | HVAC technician | $28.18 | $58,620 | $38.47 | 5,100 | 37th of 51 | +13.2% | 4% below |
| 14 | Heavy equipment operator | $27.78 | $57,780 | $38.89 | 7,050 | 35th of 51 | +9.6% | 3% below |
| 15 | Diesel mechanic | $26.67 | $55,480 | $38.70 | 3,890 | 46th of 51 | +5.3% | 10% below |
| 16 | Carpenter | $25.33 | $52,680 | $35.08 | 8,540 | 35th of 51 | +1.7% | 13% below |
| 17 | Welder | $24.74 | $51,470 | $33.18 | 6,630 | 33rd of 51 | +5.8% | 4% below |
| 18 | Cement mason | $24.14 | $50,200 | $32.47 | 1,280 | 37th of 51 | +6.0% | 12% below |
| 19 | Insulation worker | $23.91 | $49,730 | $44.29 | 400 | 21st of 48 | — | 1% above |
| 20 | Glazier | $23.61 | $49,110 | $28.56 | 570 | 36th of 50 | +2.5% | 14% below |
| 21 | Drywall installer | $23.24 | $48,340 | $33.06 | 490 | 35th of 49 | +4.0% | 18% below |
| 22 | Painter | $23.13 | $48,110 | $31.11 | 1,390 | 32nd of 51 | +2.1% | 3% below |
| 23 | Tile setter | $22.78 | $47,380 | $27.06 | 180 | 33rd of 47 | -4.9% | 15% below |
| 24 | Roofer | $22.57 | $46,940 | $31.48 | 1,080 | 42nd of 51 | +4.4% | 15% below |
| 25 | Construction laborer | $21.98 | $45,710 | $28.94 | 13,280 | 34th of 51 | +5.9% | 3% below |
| 26 | Elevator mechanic | $20.51 | $42,670 | $47.35 | — | 37th of 37 | -53.1% | 61% below |
Construction jobs in Kentucky
96.4kConstruction jobs2026-08
+1.3%Change over 12 months
+18.4%Change over 5 years
Prevailing wage in Kentucky
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Kentucky, 94 of 120 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $63.40/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Kentucky
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Kentucky?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $46.64 an hour in May 2025, followed by electrical power-line installers and repairers ($37.03) and boilermakers ($35.97).
How does Kentucky compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 26 trades listed, 4 pay above the national median in Kentucky and 22 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 90.2% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Kentucky.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).