Pay data / Welders / Salary / Kentucky
Welder Salary
in Kentucky
Welders in Kentucky (KY) earn a median of $44,500 a year, about $21 an hour. That runs roughly 9% below the national median for welders, with most earning between $30,900 and $66,400.
Bottom 10%
$30,900
KY Median
$44,500
Top 10%
$66,400
Welder pay by experience in Kentucky
- Entry / Fabricator$28,900$14/hr
Shop welding and learning processes.
- Certified Welder$44,500$21/hr
AWS-certified on common processes and positions.
- Specialty / Pipe Welder$64,500$31/hr
6G pipe, TIG, and travel work.
Welder pay in Kentucky metros
- Louisville$47,500$23/hr
- Lexington$42,600$20/hr
- Bowling Green$43,500$21/hr
Certification in Kentucky
Welders are certified rather than licensed, typically to AWS or ASME standards for the processes and positions they run. Certifications, not a state license, gate the higher-paying work.
Frequently asked
- How much do welders make in Kentucky?
- Welders in Kentucky earn a median of $44,500 per year, about $21 per hour. That is roughly 9% below the national median. Most earn between $30,900 and $66,400.
- What is the highest-paying place for welders in Kentucky?
- Among Kentucky's major metros, Louisville tends to pay welders the most, near $47,500 a year.
- Do you need a license to work as a welder in Kentucky?
- Welders are certified rather than licensed, typically to AWS or ASME standards for the processes and positions they run. Certifications, not a state license, gate the higher-paying work. In Kentucky, employers hire on certifications and demonstrated skill rather than a state license.
Welder pay in other states
Figures are estimates for 2026, anchored to national wage data and localized for Kentucky by cost of living and market conditions. Actual pay varies by employer, certification, and project.