How much does a Plumber make in Kentucky?

The average Plumber salary in Kentucky is around $72,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Kentucky state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $57,080 annually ($4,757/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Plumber in Kentucky?

On a $72,000 salary in Kentucky, your take-home pay is approximately $57,080/year or $4,757/month. Federal tax: $7,010. State tax: $2,402. FICA: $5,508.

Is $72,000 a good Plumber salary?

$72,000 is a competitive salary for a Plumber — above the national median. In Kentucky, demand for this role is active.

How do Kentucky taxes affect Plumber salaries?

Kentucky levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $72,000 is $2,402. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 20.7%.

What are the career growth prospects for Plumbers?

2% growth through 2032 (slower than average). Related roles include: Master Plumber, Journeyman Plumber, Pipefitter, Plumbing Contractor, Apprentice Plumber.

How can a Plumber in Kentucky reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

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Plumber Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Average Plumber pay in Kentucky

$72,000/year

≈ $35/hour before tax

After tax (single filer)

$57,080/year

$4,757/month · effective tax rate 20.72%

Federal $7,010
State $2,402
FICA $5,508
Take-home

Pay by role in Kentucky

Senior Journeyman Plumber (UA Local 502/184)$82,000–$118,000
Senior Journeyman with OT (OBBBA)$98,000–$148,000+ OT
Senior Foreman / General Foreman$108,000–$155,000
Senior Service / Maintenance Plumber$72,000–$108,000
Senior Industrial Plumber (Toyota / Ford)$92,000–$135,000
Senior Medical Gas Plumber (Hospital)$92,000–$135,000

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$57,080
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$4,757
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,195
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$27/hr
Federal Tax	$7,010
State Tax	$2,402
FICA Taxes	$5,508
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	20.72%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Plumbers earn the same — not even close

Kentucky's plumber market is anchored by UA Plumbers + Pipefitters Local 502 Louisville (~2,500 members, the largest UA local in KY), UA Local 184 Lexington (~1,500 members serving central KY + Bluegrass region), UA Local 248 Northern KY (Cincinnati metro spillover), substantial commercial + industrial mechanical contractor work for UPS Worldport + Toyota Georgetown + Ford Louisville + GE Appliances + Brown-Forman + Heaven Hill + Buffalo Trace + Wild Turkey + Maker's Mark distilleries + UK HealthCare + UofL Health hospital construction, plus Mountjoy Foster + Mortenson KY + Hoar Construction commercial mechanical builds.

Senior Journeyman Plumber (UA Local 502/184)

$82,000–$118,000

Senior journeyman at UA Louisville/Lexington · commercial + industrial · pre-OT band

Senior Journeyman with OT (OBBBA)

$98,000–$148,000+ OT

Journeyman with substantial OT · 2025-2028 OBBBA $12,500 single / $25,000 MFJ deduction

Senior Foreman / General Foreman

$108,000–$155,000

UA Local 502/184/248 foreman · multi-crew supervision · field leadership band

Senior Service / Maintenance Plumber

$72,000–$108,000

Commercial service + UK HealthCare + UofL + Norton maintenance · 24/7 on-call premium

Senior Industrial Plumber (Toyota / Ford)

$92,000–$135,000

Toyota TMMK + Ford Louisville + KTP + GE Appliances · industrial + manufacturing specialty

Senior Medical Gas Plumber (Hospital)

$92,000–$135,000

UK + UofL + Norton + Baptist hospital medical gas · NFPA 99 + ASSE 6010 credential premium

Senior Process Plumber (Bourbon / Distillery)

$92,000–$135,000

Heaven Hill + Buffalo Trace + Wild Turkey + Maker's Mark + Brown-Forman · distillery specialty

Senior Project Manager (Mechanical)

$108,000–$165,000

Mechanical contractor PM · UA-signatory commercial + industrial scale · field-to-office

Mid-Career Journeyman (5-10 yrs)

$72,000–$98,000

Mid-career UA journeyman · transitioning to foreman track

Apprentice / Pre-Journeyman (0-5 yrs)

$38,000–$68,000

UA Local 502 + 184 + 248 5-year apprenticeship · graduated wage scale

Worth knowing: Kentucky's bourbon distillery industrial plumbing work is a distinctive specialty most national trade-career surveys understate for KY. KY bourbon distilleries (Heaven Hill Bardstown + Buffalo Trace Frankfort + Wild Turkey Lawrenceburg + Maker's Mark Loretto + Brown-Forman Louisville/Versailles + Jim Beam Clermont + Four Roses Lawrenceburg + Bardstown Bourbon Company + multiple craft distilleries) operate substantial process plumbing infrastructure supporting fermentation + distillation + barrel aging + bottling — distillery process piping requires stainless + food-grade plumbing supporting senior bourbon plumbers at $92-135K TC. The post-2010 bourbon industry expansion (substantial distillery capacity expansion driving ~$2B+ in distillery construction + modernization investments) supports continued bourbon process plumbing demand. UA Plumbers + Pipefitters Local 502 Louisville (~2,500 members) anchors central KY commercial + industrial mechanical work. UPS Worldport Louisville maintenance + Toyota TMMK Georgetown plant + Ford Louisville facilities support substantial industrial plumbing. The 2025 No Tax on Overtime federal deduction applies to KY plumber OT for tax years 2025-2028. KY is RTW since 2017 + ~7.5% union density — UA Locals retain commercial + industrial market share but residential work is predominantly non-union open-shop. KY's flat 3.5% rate has moderate impact on journeyman comp.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Plumbers in Kentucky and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Kentucky 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Want to model 401(k), HSA, or pre-tax contributions against your full salary? Open the salary calculator →

Working overtime? The 2025 OBBBA deduction may save you up to $12,500 on federal tax. Open the No Tax on Overtime calculator →

1099 contract work or side gigs? Self-employment tax adds 15.3% on top. Open the 1099 tax calculator →

Key terms:···

Typical Plumber Salary by Experience (National)

US-wide ranges, not Kentucky figures. Each link shows the Kentucky taxes on that salary.

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$52,000

/year

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$72,000

/year

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$115,000

/year

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Plumber Salary in Other States

Plumber Salary in California →Plumber Salary in Texas →Plumber Salary in New York →Plumber Salary in Florida →Plumber Salary in Washington →

More on Kentucky

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Salaries by profession, top-paying roles by industry, and an economic breakdown for Kentucky in 2026.

Kentucky State Income Tax Guide →

Tax brackets, standard deductions, and take-home estimates for Kentucky in 2026.

Kentucky Paycheck Calculator →

Adjust filing status, 401(k), and city/county tax for your exact 2026 take-home in Kentucky.