Plumber Salary in Kentucky: $73,204 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $73,204/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $81,975 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Paducah ($82,120), Louisville/Jefferson County ($74,680), Louisville ($70,086).
In 2026, the average median salary for plumbers in Kentucky is projected to be $73,204, which is significantly higher than the national median of $65,408, reflecting a difference of +11.9%. The highest-paying city is Paducah, where plumbers can expect to earn approximately $84,189, while the lowest-paying city is Elizabethtown, with salaries at around $60,743. This salary gap of $23,446 can be attributed to various factors, including cost of living variations, local demand for plumbing services, and the concentration of larger construction projects in certain metropolitan areas. Kentucky has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence the profession, which may impact salary and job availability. As of 2026, there are 4,698 plumbers employed in the state, with a projected annual CAGR of 2.52%, indicating a steady increase in demand. This growth is driven by ongoing infrastructure development and a need for plumbing maintenance in both residential and commercial sectors. Key cities in 2026 include Louisville/Jefferson County at $76,562, Louisville at $71,852, Owensboro at $65,931, and Bowling Green at $65,879, illustrating a diverse job market across different regions.
Kentucky Plumber Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $42,546 (lowest entry-level) to $111,371 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky plumbers earn 11.92% more than the national median (+$7,796/year difference).
Kentucky Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in Kentucky range from $48,190 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $97,751 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $73,204. The Kentucky median is $7,796 above the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $35.20/hr. Approximately 4,698 plumbers are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,616
2025 BLS Actual
$71,405
2026 Current Est.
$73,204
2019–2027 Growth
+28.0%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,616 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,661 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,615 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,781 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,907 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,381 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,405 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,204 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,049 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 21.8% from $58,616 (2019) to $71,405 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,049 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,433 (28.04%) 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 2.52% 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 |
|---|---|
| Elizabethtown | $60,743 |
| Murray | $61,641 |
| Jeffersontown | $62,565 |
| Madisonville | $62,785 |
| Georgetown | $63,020 |
Best Value Cities for Plumbers in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for plumbers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paducah | $84,189 | 86.084 | $97,799 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $76,562 | 93.074 | $82,259 |
| Louisville | $71,852 | 89.3 | $80,461 |
| Owensboro | $65,931 | 88.61 | $74,406 |
| Independence | $65,383 | 89.3 | $73,217 |
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) | $48,190 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $73,204 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $97,751 |
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 | Paducah | $84,189 |
| 2 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $76,562 |
| 3 | Louisville | $71,852 |
| 4 | Owensboro | $65,931 |
| 5 | Bowling Green | $65,879 |
| 6 | Independence | $65,383 |
| 7 | Florence | $65,306 |
| 8 | Covington | $65,029 |
| 9 | Nicholasville | $64,907 |
| 10 | Richmond | $64,892 |
| 11 | Frankfort | $64,560 |
| 12 | Ashland | $64,493 |
| 13 | Henderson | $64,452 |
| 14 | Hopkinsville | $64,222 |
| 15 | Lexington | $63,429 |
| 16 | Radcliff | $63,242 |
| 17 | Georgetown | $63,020 |
| 18 | Madisonville | $62,785 |
| 19 | Jeffersontown | $62,565 |
| 20 | Murray | $61,641 |
| 21 | Elizabethtown | $60,743 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore plumber hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced plumbers.
Explore More Plumber Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for plumbers in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky plumber pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level plumber salary in Kentucky?
How many plumbers are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky city offers the best value for plumbers?
Written by Samuel Torres, CWP
Career Analyst
Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.
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 2.52% 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 plumber compensation across Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more plumberscontribute 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 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov