Welder Salary in Kentucky: $55,077 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $55,077/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $61,676 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Elizabethtown ($59,900), Louisville ($57,417), Lexington ($53,680).
In 2026, the average median salary for welders in Kentucky is projected to be $55,077, which is slightly below the national median of $55,895, resulting in a variance of -1.5%. The highest-paying city in the state is Elizabethtown, offering an average salary of $62,290, while Ashland presents the lowest, with an average of $49,443. This significant salary gap can be attributed to local demand for skilled labor, cost of living differences, and economic factors unique to each region. Welding in Kentucky requires adherence to state licensing and local regulations, which can impact job readiness and earning potential. The profession is influenced by the state's strong manufacturing presence, infrastructure projects, and the growth of industries such as automotive and aerospace, which create a steady demand for skilled welders. The total employment for welders in Kentucky stands at 4,258, with a projected annual compound growth rate of 3.99%. The top cities for welding jobs include Louisville at $59,708, Lexington at $55,822, Bowling Green at $55,770, and Independence at $54,333, indicating a strong job market with opportunities for wage advancement based on experience and specialization.
Kentucky Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $37,286 (lowest entry-level) to $89,151 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky welders earn 1.46% less than the national median ($-818/year difference).
Kentucky Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in Kentucky range from $43,683 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $70,975 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $55,077. The Kentucky median is $818 below the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $26.48/hr. Approximately 4,258 welders are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,077
2025 BLS Actual
$52,964
2026 Current Est.
$55,077
2019–2027 Growth
+39.4%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,077 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,675 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,296 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,427 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,924 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,964 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,077 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,275 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 28.9% from $41,077 (2019) to $52,964 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,275 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,198 (39.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Ashland | $49,443 |
| Paducah | $50,498 |
| Murray | $51,223 |
| Jeffersontown | $51,991 |
| Madisonville | $52,174 |
Best Value Cities for Welders in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown | $62,290 | 90.572 | $68,774 |
| Louisville | $59,708 | 89.3 | $66,862 |
| Bowling Green | $55,770 | 90.179 | $61,844 |
| Independence | $54,333 | 89.3 | $60,843 |
| Florence | $54,268 | 89.3 | $60,770 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $43,683 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $55,077 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $70,975 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elizabethtown | $62,290 |
| 2 | Louisville | $59,708 |
| 3 | Lexington | $55,822 |
| 4 | Bowling Green | $55,770 |
| 5 | Independence | $54,333 |
| 6 | Florence | $54,268 |
| 7 | Covington | $54,039 |
| 8 | Nicholasville | $53,938 |
| 9 | Richmond | $53,924 |
| 10 | Owensboro | $53,763 |
| 11 | Frankfort | $53,648 |
| 12 | Henderson | $53,559 |
| 13 | Hopkinsville | $53,368 |
| 14 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $52,900 |
| 15 | Radcliff | $52,553 |
| 16 | Georgetown | $52,369 |
| 17 | Madisonville | $52,174 |
| 18 | Jeffersontown | $51,991 |
| 19 | Murray | $51,223 |
| 20 | Paducah | $50,498 |
| 21 | Ashland | $49,443 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced welders.
Explore More Welder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in Kentucky?
How many welders are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky city offers the best value for welders?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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