What this means Our calculation
7 of 22 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is plumbers at $82,120. Prices run 14% 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 (4.6%) and the population is shrinking (-1.2% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Paducah Government data
All 22 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $82,120 | +34% | $95,395 | 380 | #42 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $79,020 | +29% | $91,794 | 70 | #36 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $78,900 | +31% | $91,655 | 190 | #8 |
| Electrical Lineworker | $78,510 | -19% | $91,202 | 70 | #208 |
| Building Inspector | $78,360 | +16% | $91,027 | 40 | #68 |
| Electrician | $73,930 | +18% | $85,881 | 400 | #122 |
| Construction Supervisor | $72,840 | -6% | $84,615 | 350 | #285 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $66,250 | +0% | $76,960 | 70 | #118 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $65,240 | +5% | $75,786 | 80 | #117 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $61,100 | -4% | $70,977 | 270 | #289 |
| Machinist | $60,300 | +6% | $70,048 | 100 | #93 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $59,000 | -1% | $68,538 | 460 | #203 |
| HVAC Technician | $56,610 | -5% | $65,761 | 90 | #269 |
| Concrete Finisher | $53,320 | -7% | $61,940 | 40 | #188 |
| Carpenter | $51,700 | -8% | $60,058 | 310 | #228 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $48,600 | -6% | $56,456 | 60 | #255 |
| Welder | $48,560 | -7% | $56,410 | 310 | #301 |
| Construction Laborer | $46,850 | +0% | $54,424 | 590 | #195 |
| Maintenance Technician | $45,920 | -5% | $53,343 | 530 | #284 |
| Painter | $45,390 | -5% | $52,728 | 50 | #261 |
| Auto Mechanic | $43,260 | -12% | $50,253 | 290 | #366 |
| Landscaper | $36,120 | -4% | $41,959 | 190 | #298 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Paducah
The Paducah area has about 49,691 homes. 55% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is older than most; 10% were built in 2010 or later. Older homes often need more repair, replacement and upgrade work. 72% of households own their home, and the median home value is $174,500.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Paducah Government data
In an average year, Paducah has 50 days at 90°F or hotter (more than most metros; typical metro 33), including 1 at 100°F or more, 83 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 76 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 9 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 89°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, Paducah, KY station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
4.6% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Paducah area's population shrank 1.2% from 2020 to 2025 (103,454 → 102,259), ranking #337 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%).
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Paducah are down 9% from 2024 to 2025 (195 → 178). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2024–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Paducah area is 20 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 8% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 81% drive alone, 0% take transit and 7% 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.