What this means Our calculation
3 of 18 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is building inspectors at $77,580. Prices run 9% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is higher than most metros (4.8%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+2.3% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Elizabethtown Government data
All 18 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Inspector | $77,580 | +15% | $85,656 | 40 | #76 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $64,710 | -2% | $71,446 | 50 | #128 |
| Construction Supervisor | $63,730 | -17% | $70,364 | 150 | #352 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $62,450 | -2% | $68,951 | 230 | #247 |
| Welder | $59,900 | +15% | $66,135 | 660 | #58 |
| Plumber | $59,250 | -4% | $65,418 | 180 | #244 |
| Machinist | $57,480 | +1% | $63,463 | 70 | #174 |
| HVAC Technician | $55,740 | -6% | $61,542 | 160 | #280 |
| Electrician | $54,460 | -13% | $60,129 | 300 | #327 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $53,290 | -12% | $58,837 | 130 | #332 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $50,960 | -15% | $56,265 | 110 | #261 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $49,880 | -3% | $55,072 | 50 | #210 |
| Carpenter | $49,070 | -13% | $54,178 | 190 | #281 |
| Maintenance Technician | $45,300 | -6% | $50,015 | 640 | #307 |
| Auto Mechanic | $41,630 | -15% | $45,963 | 350 | #371 |
| Pest Control Technician | $39,150 | -12% | $43,225 | 30 | #169 |
| Construction Laborer | $38,740 | -17% | $42,773 | 220 | #319 |
| Landscaper | $36,140 | -4% | $39,902 | 180 | #294 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Elizabethtown
The Elizabethtown area has about 56,881 homes. 35% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is newer than most; 16% were built in 2010 or later. 66% of households own their home, and the median home value is $241,200.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Elizabethtown Government data
In an average year, Elizabethtown has 21 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 98 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 86 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 4 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 85°F and winter nights 27°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Elizabethtown Wp Cs, KY station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.8% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Elizabethtown area's population grew 2.3% from 2020 to 2025 (125,713 → 128,666), ranking #201 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +2,608) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Elizabethtown are down 7% from 2021 to 2025 (526 → 491). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Elizabethtown area is 22 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 10% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 77% drive alone, 0% take transit and 10% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
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 skilled trades.
Official Kentucky licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 8.9% of wage and salary workers in Kentucky were union members, below the U.S. rate of about 10% (#24 of 51 states and D.C.), and 10.5% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Kentucky.