Construction Laborer salary in Kentucky
Construction Laborers in Kentucky earn a median of $45,710 a year ($21.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,200 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $47,120. Kentucky ranks 34th of 51 states for construction laborers pay. There are 6.6 construction laborers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for construction laborers in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,770 | $16.23 |
| 25th percentile | $37,700 | $18.13 |
| Median | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| 75th percentile | $50,040 | $24.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Average (mean) | $45,840 | $22.04 |
Half of construction laborers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,809.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,904.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,758.08 |
| Weekly | $879.04 |
| Hourly | $21.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Construction Laborer salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $54,930 | 5,700 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $47,420 | 4,600 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $46,850 | 590 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $46,300 | 1,810 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $45,170 | 1,580 |
| Owensboro, KY | $43,760 | 340 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $41,950 | 620 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $41,880 | 840 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $38,740 | 220 |
Highest-paying states for construction laborers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77,110 |
| New Jersey | $64,060 |
| Massachusetts | $63,390 |
| Illinois | $60,690 |
| California | $60,270 |
| Minnesota | $60,260 |
| Connecticut | $58,290 |
| Alaska | $58,060 |
| Washington | $57,720 |
| Rhode Island | $57,240 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $59,720 | $28.71 |
| Carpenter | $52,680 | $25.33 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $64,160 | $30.84 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $60,680 | $29.17 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $50,200 | $24.14 |
| Roofer | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Glazier | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $50,380 | $24.22 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2061. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction laborer make in Kentucky?
The median salary for construction laborers in Kentucky is $45,710 a year, or $21.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid construction laborers make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of construction laborers in Kentucky earn at least $60,200 a year. The top 25% earn $50,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for construction laborers in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,770 a year, and a quarter of construction laborers earn $37,700 or less.
How many construction laborers work in Kentucky?
About 13,280 construction laborers are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.