How to Become a Pipefitter in Kentucky (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Kentucky employs about 6,360 pipefitters earning a median $64,160 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pipefitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Kentucky.

Compare Pipefitter Schools in Kentucky

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
173.8Contact school for pricing$40,44480%Yes*195 mi
264.8Contact school for pricing$32,93181%—270 mi
361.2Contact school for pricing$42,57379%—227 mi
458.9Contact school for pricing$44,75474%—198 mi
556.1Contact school for pricing$52,68128%Yes*199 mi
655.7Contact school for pricing$47,99053%Yes*95 mi
755.4Contact school for pricing$44,85452%Yes*96 mi
852.5Contact school for pricing$42,97054%Yes*103 mi
951.7Contact school for pricing$45,54636%Yes*246 mi
1049.7$4,808 - $14,457$50,10633%Yes*42 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Kentucky employs approximately 6,360 pipefitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $64,160 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Pipefitter in Kentucky, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Kentucky): $64,160 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pipefitter in Kentucky

How to become a Pipefitter in Kentucky? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pipefitters in Kentucky.

How long does it take? Most paths into the pipefitter field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do pipefitters earn in Kentucky? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Kentucky is $64,160 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,860 and experienced professionals can earn $94,710 or more 1.

How to Become a Pipefitter in Kentucky

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Kentucky training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Kentucky that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Kentucky.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Kentucky, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Pipefitter Apprenticeship Information in Kentucky

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Kentucky’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Kentucky Office of Apprenticeship and Training 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Office of Employer and Apprenticeship Services
  • Address: 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40601
  • Phone: (502) 564-5920
  • Email: [email protected]​

Pipefitter Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Kentucky vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Cincinnati3,640$65,160$70,570$46,830$101,800
Louisville/Jefferson County2,780$74,680$71,560$48,250$94,920
Lexington-Fayette810$61,870$66,710$45,280$96,190
Huntington-Ashland460$62,160$64,940$39,010$86,840
Paducah380$82,120$75,480$46,340$95,380
Clarksville280$58,930$65,600$37,980$110,660
Elizabethtown180$59,250$64,190$41,500$93,340
Owensboro180$64,310$66,950$46,040$91,170
Bowling Green160$64,260$69,010$46,060$93,660

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for pipefitters in Kentucky? Kentucky currently employs approximately 6,360 pipefitters 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Kentucky? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Kentucky. You can also contact the Kentucky Office of Apprenticeship and Training for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do pipefitters earn in Kentucky compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pipefitters in Kentucky is $64,160, which is $1,190 above the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.

In Kentucky

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Citations

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/.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Kentucky Office of Apprenticeship and Training: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)