Quick answer: The median electrician in Kentucky earns $28.71/hr — about $59,720 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $85,000+. To hire one, an electrical contractor typically bills $65–$85 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit — and more in higher-cost metros like Paducah, KY-IL.
Here's the full picture: what electricians earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how Kentucky compares to other states.
Electrician income in Kentucky (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Kentucky's ~11,030 electricians:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $17.84 | ~$3,092 | ~$37,107 |
| Median (typical) | $28.71 | ~$4,977 | $59,720 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $40.99 | ~$7,105 | ~$85,259 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a electrician takes home. What a electrical contractor bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median electrician wage (earned) | ~$29/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $65–$85/hr |
Where Kentucky ranks
Kentucky pays electricians 5% below the national median, ranking 43rd of 51 states — among the lowest-paying states in the country:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Oregon | $48.71 |
| Kentucky (43rd) | $28.71 |
| National median | $30.38 |
| Lowest — Arkansas | $23.59 |
Electrician rates by Kentucky metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median electrician wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Paducah, KY-IL | $35.54/hr | $80–$105/hr |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30.02/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $28.28/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $28.18/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Lexington-Fayette | $27.56/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $27.16/hr | $60–$80/hr |
| Bowling Green | $26.80/hr | $60–$80/hr |
Paducah, KY-IL is one of the higher-paying metros in the state for electricians, reflecting local demand and cost of living.
What common electrical jobs cost in Kentucky
At Kentucky billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical Kentucky range |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $70–$140 |
| Install outlet or switch | $125–$275 |
| Ceiling fan installation | $150–$375 |
| Panel / breaker replacement | $950–$2,350 |
| Whole-home rewire | $3,000–$8,500 |
| EV charger installation | $375–$1,125 |
| Light fixture installation | $100–$275 + fixture |
| Troubleshoot wiring issue | $125–$425 |
| Add a dedicated circuit | $200–$650 |
| Standby generator hookup | $450–$1,400 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How electricians compare to other trades in Kentucky
Here's how electrician pay lines up against Kentucky's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | $30.84/hr | $70–$95/hr |
| Electrician | $28.71/hr | $65–$85/hr |
| HVAC technician | $28.18/hr | $60–$85/hr |
| Carpenter | $25.33/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Roofer | $22.57/hr | $50–$70/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free electrician estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do electricians need a license in Kentucky?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See Kentucky contractor & trade licensing to check whether electricians need a state license in Kentucky, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do electricians make in Kentucky?
The median electrician in Kentucky earns about $59,720 a year ($28.71/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level electricians earn around $37,000 and the most experienced earn $85,000 or more.
Can a electrician make $100,000 a year in Kentucky?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of electricians in Kentucky earn about $85,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own electrical contractor and billing $65–$85/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do electricians charge per hour in Kentucky?
In 2025, most Kentucky electricians bill $65–$85 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $29/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do electricians earn more in Kentucky than nationally?
Kentucky's median electrician wage is about 5% below the national median of $30.38/hr, ranking 43rd of 51 states.
Which Kentucky city pays electricians the most?
Paducah, KY-IL, at a $35.54/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for electricians.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes. Updated August 2026.