Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Kentucky
26 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states, the union scale and the state's own projection of which trades are growing.
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 |
Most in-demand trades in Kentucky
By the Kentucky labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are painters (+6.0%), brickmasons (+5.4%), carpenters (+5.3%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (1,660 a year), electricians (1,020 a year), carpenters (880 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 34,075 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Painter | +6.0% | 180 | 2,170 | $23.13 |
| Brickmason | +5.4% | 90 | 1,160 | $28.76 |
| Carpenter | +5.3% | 880 | 11,230 | $25.33 |
| Drywall installer | +5.1% | 40 | 590 | $23.24 |
| Welder | +5.0% | 810 | 7,820 | $24.74 |
| Sheet metal worker | +4.9% | 80 | 950 | $29.17 |
| Insulation worker | +4.5% | 50 | 550 | $23.91 |
| Millwright | +4.4% | 140 | 1,460 | $33.95 |
| Roofer | +4.4% | 100 | 1,330 | $22.57 |
| Boilermaker | +4.3% | 30 | 300 | $35.97 |
| Plumber | +4.3% | 520 | 5,970 | $30.84 |
| Ironworker | +4.3% | 80 | 890 | $30.80 |
| HVAC technician | +4.1% | 580 | 6,560 | $28.18 |
| Cement mason | +4.1% | 110 | 1,570 | $24.14 |
| Construction laborer | +4.1% | 1,660 | 19,710 | $21.98 |
| Electrician | +3.9% | 1,020 | 11,190 | $28.71 |
| Construction manager | +3.7% | 290 | 3,650 | $46.64 |
| Lineman | +3.7% | 220 | 2,700 | $37.03 |
| Construction supervisor | +3.7% | 770 | 9,760 | $35.33 |
| Glazier | +3.7% | 40 | 430 | $23.61 |
| Crane operator | +3.3% | 70 | 770 | $29.81 |
| Machinist | +2.8% | 430 | 4,160 | $28.20 |
| Diesel mechanic | +2.5% | 350 | 4,190 | $26.67 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +2.4% | 610 | 7,320 | $27.78 |
| Tile setter | +1.2% | 20 | 250 | $22.78 |
Source: Kentucky long-term occupational projections via Projections Central; state counts include the self-employed. Projections, not guarantees; see each trade page for the national BLS outlook.
Construction jobs in Kentucky
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 linemen ($37.03) and boilermakers ($35.97).
Which trades are in highest demand in Kentucky?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, painters (+6.0%), brickmasons (+5.4%), carpenters (+5.3%). By openings a year, construction laborers (1,660 a year), electricians (1,020 a year), carpenters (880 a year). The figures come from Kentucky's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
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 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).