Welder Hourly Pay in Nicholasville, KY: $25.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Nicholasville, KY runs $25.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,938 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Nicholasville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,367 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the welder hourly pay in Nicholasville, KY, stands at a median of $25.94, which is slightly below the national average hourly rate of $26.87. This wage reflects the competitive nature of the welding market in this regional hub, where opportunities often arise in fabrication shops, pipeline projects, and manufacturing settings. Welders in entry-level positions can expect to earn around $19.18 hourly, while those at the peak of their careers may earn up to $35.15 per hour. Such hourly rates provide flexibility for part-time workers, who might find themselves working three days a week in various environments, letting them balance between work and personal life while still maintaining a reasonable income.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.18 | $153.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.49 | $179.94 |
| Median (P50) | $25.94 | $207.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.42 | $235.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.15 | $281.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nicholasville
Based on $25.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.94/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nicholasville, KY can expect to earn approximately $53,945 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,122. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nicholasville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nicholasville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,037.40 | $4,495 | $53,945 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $622.44 | $2,697 | $32,367 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $414.96 | $1,798 | $21,578 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Nicholasville) | $25.94 |
| Machinist (National Avg) | $25.72 |
| Sheet Metal Worker (National Avg) | $28.93 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Boilermaker (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Welders in Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $53,938 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.50% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $54,759.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.94/hr = $32,367/year (purchasing power: $36,245).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,945/year (purchasing power: $60,409).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Nicholasville grew 26.5% from $19.72/hr (2019) to $24.94/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.97/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem welders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nicholasville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Welder in Nicholasville
When considering the overall financial landscape, a part-time welder working 24 hours per week could make an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, affecting their financial planning. Per-diem welders, particularly those who travel, can increase their earnings dramatically, receiving daily allowances ranging from $80 to $175, on top of their hourly wage, which can vary significantly according to job type. For instance, traveling pipe welders often see base pay of $40 to $70 per hour, with additional bonuses during refinery shutdowns averaging $50 to $80 hourly. The Nicholasville welding market encompasses various sectors, including structural steel and pipe welding, where different employer types influence pay scales and benefits. Welders may need to negotiate their hourly rates based on the potential for health benefits, which can lead them to accept lower wages for more stability. Understanding the specifics of local demand, industry standards, and the nuances of negotiation can significantly impact a welder's overall compensation strategy in Nicholasville.
More salary data for Nicholasville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder
Career Analyst
James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for welders in Nicholasville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Nicholasville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for welders (SOC 51-4121).
Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov