verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Welder Salary in Kentucky

Median Annual in Kentucky
$51,470/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$24.74/hr
▼ 4% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Kentucky

groups Employed in KY
6,630
public U.S. Median
$53,750
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$57,088 #26 of 51

Welder pay in Kentucky, explained

Welders in Kentucky earn a median of $51,470 per year ($24.74 per hour), which is 4% below the national median of $53,750. Entry-level workers earn around $39,300, while the most experienced welders reach about $69,010. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Kentucky.

Is $51,470 good pay in Kentucky?

Adjusted for Kentucky's cost of living (which runs 90% of the U.S. average), that $51,470 is worth about $57,088 in national buying power — ranking Kentucky #26 for real pay (vs #33 on the sticker number).

See the full Welder Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Welder pay by experience in Kentucky

Entry level (10th pct)
$39,300
$18.89/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$51,470
$24.74/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$69,010
$33.18/hr

Welder pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs KY
Kentucky (here) $51,470 $57,088
Virginia $59,180 $58,534 −$7,710
Missouri $51,950 $57,203 −$480
Illinois $51,320 $51,342 +$150
Ohio $50,340 $54,261 +$1,130
Indiana $49,730 $53,285 +$1,740
West Virginia $48,810 $54,538 +$2,660
Tennessee $48,040 $52,291 +$3,430

Welder in Kentucky: FAQ

How much do welders make in Kentucky?

Welders in Kentucky earn a median of $51,470 per year ($24.74 per hour), compared with $53,750 nationally.

Does Kentucky pay welders well?

At $51,470, Kentucky pays 4% below the national median for welders. An estimated 6,630 work in the state.

Welder salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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