Salary guide, May 2025
Lead Welder pay in Kentucky
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
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The median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Kentucky was $51,470 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $46,380 and $59,900.
The Kentucky median is $2,280 below the national median of $53,750, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Lead Welder is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about kentucky?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,300 | $46,380 | $51,470 | $59,900 | $69,010 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.89 | $22.30 | $24.74 | $28.80 | $33.18 |
BLS estimated 6,630 workers employed in this occupation in Kentucky. Location quotient: 1.24.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,240 | $46,790 | $53,750 | $63,010 | $77,530 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.87 | $22.50 | $25.84 | $30.29 | $37.28 |
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $43,900 | $49,260 | $58,160 |
| May 2025 | $46,380 | $51,470 | $59,900 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, Kentucky. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown, KY | $59,900 | $51,470 to $65,180 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $50,870 | $47,440 to $60,330 |
All roles in Kentucky · National page · Lead Welder ranked across metros