What this means Our calculation
16 of 35 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is construction supervisors at $79,190. Prices run 7% below the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth more than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is about the same as most metros (4.2%) and the population is growing at a typical pace (+2.9% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Louisville/Jefferson County Government data
All 35 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Supervisor | $79,190 | +3% | $85,083 | 3,240 | #145 |
| Electrical Lineworker | $77,020 | -20% | $82,751 | 650 | #226 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $75,610 | +14% | $81,236 | 790 | #98 |
| Plumber | $74,680 | +22% | $80,237 | 2,780 | #94 |
| Ironworker | $69,280 | +8% | $74,435 | 310 | #70 |
| Building Inspector | $63,600 | -6% | $68,333 | 380 | #221 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $62,590 | -2% | $67,248 | 3,170 | #239 |
| Electrician | $62,440 | +0% | $67,086 | 4,340 | #194 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $61,890 | +4% | $66,495 | 1,920 | #151 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $61,620 | -1% | $66,205 | 560 | #178 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $61,310 | +2% | $65,872 | 1,480 | #157 |
| Brickmason | $61,100 | -3% | $65,647 | 280 | #85 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,010 | -1% | $65,550 | 970 | #144 |
| Machinist | $60,500 | +6% | $65,002 | 990 | #85 |
| HVAC Technician | $58,930 | -1% | $63,315 | 1,890 | #218 |
| Paving Equipment Operator | $58,840 | +18% | $63,219 | 60 | #46 |
| Appliance Repair Technician | $57,660 | +14% | $61,951 | 120 | #38 |
| Carpenter | $56,520 | +1% | $60,726 | 2,990 | #191 |
| Insulation Installer | $56,110 | +16% | $60,285 | 190 | #28 |
| Glazier | $55,170 | -0% | $59,275 | 260 | #82 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $53,030 | +3% | $56,976 | 650 | #167 |
| Concrete Finisher | $52,700 | -8% | $56,622 | 610 | #192 |
| Flooring Installer | $50,960 | -9% | $54,752 | 180 | #45 |
| Welder | $50,870 | -3% | $54,655 | 1,790 | #226 |
| Roofer | $49,160 | -2% | $52,818 | 550 | #156 |
| Maintenance Technician | $48,970 | +1% | $52,614 | 7,060 | #167 |
| Painter | $48,920 | +3% | $52,560 | 590 | #143 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $48,050 | -0% | $51,626 | 150 | #70 |
| Tile Setter | $47,520 | -6% | $51,056 | 50 | #78 |
| Auto Mechanic | $47,440 | -3% | $50,970 | 3,640 | #265 |
| Construction Laborer | $47,420 | +1% | $50,949 | 4,600 | #190 |
| Drywall Installer | $45,990 | -15% | $49,412 | 230 | #148 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $44,680 | -12% | $48,005 | 80 | #131 |
| Pest Control Technician | $44,170 | -1% | $47,457 | 400 | #131 |
| Landscaper | $37,820 | +1% | $40,634 | 3,130 | #177 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Louisville/Jefferson County
The Louisville/Jefferson County area has about 614,381 homes. 51% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 14% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 69% of households own their home, and the median home value is $265,900.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Louisville/Jefferson County Government data
In an average year, Louisville/Jefferson County has 43 days at 90°F or hotter (about typical; typical metro 33), including 1 at 100°F or more, 74 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 80 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 13 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 88°F and winter nights 30°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Louisville International Airport, KY station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.2% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Louisville/Jefferson County area's population grew 2.9% from 2020 to 2025 (1,362,981 → 1,402,509), ranking #176 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +38,835) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Louisville/Jefferson County are up 11% from 2021 to 2025 (5,508 → 6,103). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Louisville/Jefferson County area is 25 minutes each way, longer than the typical metro (24 min). 12% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 75% drive alone, 1% take transit and 12% 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.