Welder Salary in Paducah, KY: $50,498 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Paducah, KY earns a median $50,498/year (≈ $24.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Paducah's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $58,661 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the welder salary in Paducah, Kentucky, is projected to be $50,498, reflecting a notable distinction within the local labor market. It’s crucial to understand how the pay varies based on specializations. For instance, pipe welders typically earn more than structural or production welders, with a salary range spanning from $40,868 on the low end to $69,237 for the top earners. These figures stem from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, indicating a diverse marketplace for skilled trades. In Paducah, the demand for specialized welders—particularly those versed in high-stakes industries such as oil and gas pipeline construction—has led to competitive wages, creating opportunities for certified professionals to maximize their incomes.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,868 | $19.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,328 | $22.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,498 | $24.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,146 | $29.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,237 | $33.29 |
Median Salary Position
9.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paducah
In Paducah, KY, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,369 (2026 est.). At $50,498, the local median is 9.66% below the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paducah: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Paducah Welder Pay Compares
Paducah median: $50,498/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paducah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $54,770 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | -9.66% less |
Welders in Paducah, KY earn a median of $50,498 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.66% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 7.80% below the Kentucky state average of $54,770.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paducah has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paducah, KY has a cost-of-living index of 86.084 (below the national average of 100). A welder earning $50,498 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,661 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,387
2025 BLS Actual
$48,560
2026 Current Est.
$50,498
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,387 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,923 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,471 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,214 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,498 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,512 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paducah metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $38,387 (2019) to $48,560 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,512 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,125 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paducah 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) | $40,868 – $46,328 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,328 – $50,498 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,498 – $61,146 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,146 – $69,237 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Paducah
The job market in Paducah features approximately 310 welders, reflecting steady employment about the region's fabrication needs. With a cost-of-living index of 86.084, welders in Paducah enjoy a better purchasing power compared to many other U.S. cities; their overall pay often stretches further in light of lower living expenses. Pay disparities are significantly influenced by certification levels—such as 6G pipe certification and specialty skills like underwater welding or nuclear qualified welding (NQA-1)—which can lead to premium wages. Employers in industries such as structural steel fabrication, petrochemical refining, and shipyards typically offer the highest pay, particularly for traveling work that often necessitates specialized skills. For welders looking to boost their earnings, gaining additional certifications, seeking traveling opportunities, and diversifying into specialty areas could lead to substantial financial benefits in Paducah’s evolving market.
More salary data for Paducah, 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 $48,560 for weldersin the Paducah 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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