Statewide pay Government data
Industrial machinery mechanics in Kentucky earn a statewide median of $64,560 a year, 1% above the typical U.S. metro, ranking #29 of 50 states and DC. About 11,540 people work in the trade statewide.
Statewide pay range
States ranked near Kentucky
See all states on the industrial machinery mechanic overview.
Pay by city Government data
| Metro | Median pay | Real pay | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling GreenKENTUCKY · KY | $74,410 | $82,514 | 700 |
| OwensboroKENTUCKY · KY | $73,010 | $82,395 | 480 |
| Louisville/Jefferson CountyKENTUCKY · KY | $62,590 | $67,248 | 3,170 |
| ElizabethtownKENTUCKY · KY | $62,450 | $68,951 | 230 |
| LexingtonKENTUCKY · KY | $61,320 | $66,014 | 870 |
| PaducahKENTUCKY · KY | $61,100 | $70,977 | 270 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Pay outside the cities Government data
BLS also reports pay for Kentucky's rural (nonmetropolitan) regions.
BLS OEWS nonmetropolitan areas, May 2025.
The job (national)
Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.
Nationally, jobs are projected to grow 17.8% from 2025 to 2035, with about 44,400 openings a year. Typical training: long-term on-the-job training.
Nationally, industrial machinery mechanics have 54 injuries or illnesses serious enough to miss work per 10,000 full-time workers, 38% below the rate for all jobs (87). The most common cause is being struck by or caught in objects and equipment.
What the work is like Government data
How often industrial machinery mechanics deal with each condition, from surveys of workers in the job.
Getting started usually takes medium preparation (vocational training or an apprenticeship, often 1–2+ years).
O*NET 31.0 Work Context and Job Zones (U.S. Department of Labor), national.
Licensing in Kentucky Official source
The main state licensing office in Kentucky is the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. The state licenses electrical, plumbing and HVAC; general contractors are licensed locally. It can point you to the right license for industrial machinery mechanics.
Official Kentucky licensing site ↗
Requirements for industrial machinery mechanics vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Cities in Kentucky
All trades in Kentucky.