Production Supervision Degree Programs in Kentucky (2026)
Quick answer: First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers in Kentucky earn a median $72,490 per year, below the national median of $74,450 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The state employs about 13,820 of them. Licensing runs through the employers hiring in your area.
Production Supervision Pay and Employment in Kentucky at a Glance
| Metric | Kentucky | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $72,490 | $74,450 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $45,560 | $47,130 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $58,930 | $58,630 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $89,100 | $91,680 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $104,810 | $108,750 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 13,820 | 673,430 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 1.6 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 1.2% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Kentucky Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Kentucky median of $72,490 sits below the national median of $74,450 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 1.6 puts Kentucky well above the national average, so the work is noticeably more common here than in the typical state. That usually means a deeper job market and more room to change employers without relocating (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Paducah | $87,030 | 290 |
| Lexington | $76,410 | 1,890 |
| Louisville | $75,010 | 4,180 |
| Bowling Green | $73,540 | 690 |
| Elizabethtown | $71,620 | 380 |
| Owensboro | $69,320 | 360 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Production supervision follows the plants. A metro’s manufacturing base - what it makes and at what scale - is what determines how many shifts need supervising.
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), first-line supervisors of production and operating workers wages in Kentucky vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 5,930 | $75,880 | $76,910 | $49,200 | $105,770 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 4,180 | $75,010 | $75,450 | $48,200 | $105,810 |
| Lexington-Fayette | 1,890 | $76,410 | $77,660 | $48,260 | $98,770 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 740 | $65,030 | $72,760 | $46,510 | $96,810 |
| Clarksville | 730 | $73,300 | $74,070 | $47,230 | $103,130 |
| Bowling Green | 690 | $73,540 | $74,480 | $48,160 | $104,980 |
| Elizabethtown | 380 | $71,620 | $70,580 | $45,100 | $95,300 |
| Owensboro | 360 | $69,320 | $74,410 | $45,950 | $100,640 |
| Paducah | 290 | $87,030 | $89,810 | $56,340 | $135,390 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
All Kentucky Metro Areas With Published Data
Bowling Green * Elizabethtown * Lexington * Louisville * Owensboro * Paducah
Licensing and Credentials in Kentucky
Production supervision is not licensed. The credentials that carry weight are the machining, welding or maintenance qualification the supervisor came up through, plus lean and quality certifications employers name in postings - Six Sigma belts and ASQ certifications among them - and OSHA general industry safety training. The degree is what most often distinguishes a lead hand from a shift supervisor.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with the employers hiring in your area that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
No schools in our database. If this is a mistake, contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do production supervisors make in Kentucky?
The median annual wage for production supervisors in Kentucky is $72,490, below the national median of $74,450 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $58,930 at the 25th percentile to $89,100 at the 75th.
How many production supervisors work in Kentucky?
Kentucky holds about 13,820 production supervisor jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 673,430, and BLS projects about 67,700 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a production supervisor in Kentucky?
Production supervision is not licensed. The credentials that carry weight are the machining, welding or maintenance qualification the supervisor came up through, plus lean and quality certifications employers name in postings - Six Sigma belts and ASQ certifications among them - and OSHA general industry safety training. The degree is what most often distinguishes a lead hand from a shift supervisor. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with the employers hiring in your area before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a operations management and supervision degree online while working in Kentucky?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies the employers hiring in your area.
What is the highest-paying area of Kentucky for production supervisors?
Among Kentucky metro areas with published data, Paducah reports the highest median at $87,030 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Kentucky a good state for production supervisors?
On pay, the state median of $72,490 sits below the national $74,450 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.6 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Production Supervision programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- CNC Machinist career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers (SOC 51-1011), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.