Welder Salary in Nicholasville, KY: $53,938 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Nicholasville, KY earns a median $53,938/year (≈ $25.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Nicholasville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $60,401 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $53,938 in 2026, welding professionals in Nicholasville, KY, are positioned just below the national average of $55,895. The salary range spans from $39,879 at the lower end (P10) to $73,102 at the upper end (P90), reflecting a diverse job market for welders. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost of living factors, which are particularly relevant in an area where the cost of living index stands at 89.3. As local welders consider their options, the choice between traditional employment and rig welder ownership can significantly impact earnings. Owning a rig not only involves substantial upfront investment, ranging from $80,000 to $150,000 for a welding truck, but can also lead to higher hourly rates, particularly for those tackling projects in high-demand sectors such as oil and gas pipelines.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,879 | $19.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,788 | $22.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,938 | $25.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,191 | $29.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,102 | $35.15 |
Median Salary Position
3.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nicholasville
In Nicholasville, KY, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,223 (2026 est.). At $53,938, the local median is 3.5% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nicholasville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nicholasville Welder Pay Compares
Nicholasville median: $53,938/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nicholasville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $54,759 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -3.50% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nicholasville has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nicholasville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $53,938 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,401 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,002
2025 BLS Actual
$51,868
2026 Current Est.
$53,938
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,002 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,643 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,364 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,875 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,226 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,215 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,868 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,938 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,090 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nicholasville metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $41,002 (2019) to $51,868 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,090 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,088 (36.80%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,879 – $46,788 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,788 – $53,938 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,938 – $61,191 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,191 – $73,102 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Nicholasville
The welding job market in Nicholasville consists of approximately six welders, indicating a modest but steady demand within the local construction and manufacturing sectors. Given the cost of living index, welders in the area may find their take-home pay stretches further than in regions with higher living costs. Employers in specialized fields, like structural steel fabrication, pipeline welding, or petrochemical projects, tend to offer the most competitive pay. Factors influencing the disparity in welder salaries include certification levels—where qualifications such as the 6G pipe and ASME IX certifications command higher rates—and the nature of work, which can vary significantly from local production roles to traveling assignments. Techniques to enhance earnings in this specific market context include pursuing advanced certifications or targeting industries with the highest demand, such as nuclear power or aerospace, where specialized skills are rewarded with premium pay.
More salary data for Nicholasville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $51,868 for weldersin the Nicholasville metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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