Plumber in Kentucky: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Kentucky employs 6,360 plumbers, with a statewide median of $64,160 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Kentucky licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in Kentucky (May 2025)

Kentucky median pay: $64,160 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $44,860
Experienced (75th percentile): $84,840
Top earners (90th percentile): $94,710
Employed in Kentucky: 6,360
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for plumbers in major Kentucky markets:

Louisville/Jefferson County: $74,680 (2,780 employed)
Cincinnati: $65,160 (3,640 employed)
Bowling Green: $64,260 (160 employed)
Huntington: $62,160 (460 employed)
Lexington: $61,870 (810 employed)
Clarksville: $58,930 (280 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Kentucky

Prices in Kentucky run about 10% below the national average (cost-of-living index 90.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,160 median stretches to roughly $71,131 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Kentucky (2024–2034)

Kentucky is projected to grow plumbers employment +4.3%, about in line with the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 520 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Kentucky License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Plumber license — regulated by the Kentucky Dept. of Housing, Buildings & Construction (HBC) — Plumbing Division.

Work as an apprentice under a licensed plumber and complete about 2 years of documented experience.
Pass the Journeyman Plumber exam.
Apply to the Kentucky HBC; add a Master Plumber license to contract independently.

Official requirements: Kentucky Dept. of Housing, Buildings & Construction (HBC) — Plumbing Division →

Training in Kentucky

UA Locals and PHCC contractors offer earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships. Kentucky licenses plumbers at the state level — log supervised hours early.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Kentucky include:

Ashland Community and Technical College — Certificate
Big Sandy Community and Technical College — Certificate
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Gateway Community and Technical College — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.

Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.

Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

First Steps

Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do plumbers make in Kentucky?

The median wage for plumbers in Kentucky is $64,160 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $44,860, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $94,710. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Plumber in Kentucky?

Journeyman Plumber license, overseen by the Kentucky Dept. of Housing, Buildings & Construction (HBC) — Plumbing Division. Work as an apprentice under a licensed plumber and complete about 2 years of documented experience.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Kentucky?

Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

Which Kentucky metros pay plumbers the most?

Among Kentucky metro areas, Louisville/Jefferson County leads at $74,680, followed by Cincinnati ($65,160), Bowling Green ($64,260). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Plumber in Kentucky?

Real Kentucky options include Ashland Community and Technical College, Big Sandy Community and Technical College, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Kentucky?

Kentucky projects plumbers employment to change +4.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 520 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Kentucky statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the Kentucky Dept. of Housing, Buildings & Construction (HBC) — Plumbing Division (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Kentucky wages · Kentucky licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.