CertOutlook

Welder in Kentucky

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for KY. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$49,260
trending_down -3.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Kentucky.

engineering
7,360

Jobs (KY)

monitoring Stable
+2.2%

10-yr job growth

payments
$50

Est. total cost

schedule
Varies depending on training and certifications sought (e.g., 6 months to 2 years for vocational programs, 3-4 years for apprenticeships)

Time to complete

route How to become a welder in Kentucky

To become a welder in Kentucky, individuals do not need a general state-issued license; however, certifications are crucial for employment. The Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction oversees regulations for specific trades involving welding, such as boiler and pressure vessel work, which requires ASME Section IX certification. Aspiring welders typically complete vocational training or apprenticeships and must pass performance qualification tests, such as those offered by the American Welding Society (AWS), to demonstrate their skills.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,400
25th percentile $43,900
50th (median) $49,260
75th percentile $58,160
90th (experienced) $64,630

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Kentucky. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Kentucky requirements

Licensing bodyKentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction
State license Not required
EducationNo formal education is required, but vocational training or an apprenticeship is recommended. Welders must pass a performance qualification test.
ExamPerformance qualification test (e.g., AWS Certified Welder, ASME Section IX for boilers/pressure vessels) ($35)
NotesKentucky does not require a general state welding license. Certification is primarily managed through the American Welding Society (AWS) and ASME. Welders working on boilers and pressure vessels must be certified per ASME Section IX. AWS Certified Welder (CW) performance tests must be maintained every 6 months through continued welding activity or retesting. Minimum age of 18 is generally required for most job sites.

Source: Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+2.2%
Average
Annual openings
45,600
Nationwide per year
Total employment
457,300
Nationwide
neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -1.20/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period
0 months
~$50 investment ÷ $49,260 median salary
  • infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
Wondering if a welder career is the right fit?
See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.
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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a welder in Kentucky? expand_more
The path to welder licensure in Kentucky: complete the required education (No formal education is required, but vocational training or an apprenticeship is recommended. Welders must pass a performance qualification test.), and pass the Performance qualification test (e.g., AWS Certified Welder, ASME Section IX for boilers/pressure vessels).
Is a state license required for welders in Kentucky? expand_more
welders in Kentucky are not required to hold a state license. Note: Kentucky does not require a general state welding license. Certification is primarily managed through the American Welding Society (AWS) and ASME. Welders working on boilers and pressure vessels must be certified per ASME Section IX. AWS Certified Welder (CW) performance tests must be maintained every 6 months through continued welding activity or retesting. Minimum age of 18 is generally required for most job sites.
What is the average welder salary in Kentucky? expand_more
In Kentucky, the median pay for welders comes to $49,260/year. This is close to the national median of $51,000. The range spans from $37,400 at the entry level to $64,630 for top earners.
How expensive is welder licensing in Kentucky? expand_more
Plan on spending $50 total — that covers exam fee ($35) plus your education and training.
What's the timeline to become a welder in Kentucky? expand_more
In Kentucky, becoming a welder generally takes Varies depending on training and certifications sought (e.g., 6 months to 2 years for vocational programs, 3-4 years for apprenticeships), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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