Electrician Jobs in Kentucky

Kentucky Electrician Pay Rates & Benefits

• Coal Mine Underground: $40-55/hour + hazard pay + overtime
• UPS Worldport Louisville: $28-38/hour + union benefits
• Toyota Georgetown: $32-42/hour + production bonuses
• Bourbon Distilleries: $26-36/hour + seasonal overtime
• Louisville Journeyman: $28-36/hour standard rate
• Mining Benefits: Full health, pension, and life insurance

Kentucky Electrical Licensing & Training

Kentucky licenses electricians through the Department of Housing.Journeyman: 8,000 hours apprenticeship + state exam.Master Electrician: 4 years journeyman + business exam.MSHA Certification: Required for coal mine electrical work.Union Training: IBEW Local 369 (Louisville), 1701 (Lexington) provide apprenticeships.

Coal Mining Electrical: Eastern Kentucky's Highest Pay

Eastern Kentucky coal mines offer America's highest electrical wages at $40-55/hourfor underground work. Peabody Energy, Alliance Coal, and Arch Coal employ hundreds of mine electricians for conveyor systems, ventilation fans, cutting equipment, and explosive atmosphere installations. Underground electricians must complete MSHA training and work with intrinsically safe equipment. Annual earnings often exceed $100,000 with overtime and hazard pay premiums.

Louisville UPS Worldport: World's Largest Automated Hub

UPS Worldport Louisville employs 200+ electricians maintaining the world's largest automated package sorting facility. The facility processes 416,000 packages per hour using 155 miles of conveyor systems and sophisticated automation. Electricians work on sortation equipment, barcode scanners, automated loading systems, and backup power infrastructure. Pay: $28-38/hour with excellent Teamsters union benefits including health insurance, pension, and tuition assistance.

Bourbon Distillery Electrical: Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey

Kentucky's $5 billion bourbon industry employs specialized electricians at Jim Beam Clermont, Maker's Mark Loretto, Wild Turkey Lawrenceburg, and 70+ other distilleries. Distillery electricians maintain fermentation controls, distillation column heating, barrel warehouse systems, and bottling line automation. Work requires knowledge of explosion-proof electrical systems due to alcohol vapor hazards. Pay: $26-36/hour with seasonal overtime during peak production.

Georgetown Toyota: Kentucky's Largest Manufacturing Employer

Toyota Georgetown employs 300+ electricians at North America's largest Toyota plant manufacturing Camry, Avalon, and RAV4 vehicles. Plant electricians maintain 700+ robots, conveyor systems, paint booths, and assembly line automation. The facility operates 24/7 requiring electrical maintenance on all shifts. Starting pay: $32/hour rising to $42/hour with production bonuses, profit sharing, and comprehensive Toyota benefits including healthcare and retirement.

Louisville Manufacturing: Ford Truck Plant & GE Appliance Park

Ford Louisville Assembly Plant manufactures Super Duty trucks and Lincoln Navigator requiring electricians for heavy-duty assembly automation. GE Appliance Park Louisville employs electricians manufacturing refrigerators, washers, and dryers with modern automation systems. Both facilities offer union positions with $30-40/hour pay rates and opportunities for overtime during peak production periods.

Lexington Healthcare & Horse Industry

University of Kentucky Medical Center Lexington employs biomedical electricians for hospital electrical systems, life safety equipment, and emergency power systems. The region's thoroughbred horse industry requires electricians for Keeneland Race Track, Churchill Downs, and breeding farms with specialized barn electrical systems, track lighting, and broadcast infrastructure. Healthcare electrical positions offer $28-38/hour with excellent state benefits.

Northern Kentucky Cincinnati Metro: Covington & Newport

Northern Kentucky benefits from Cincinnati metro proximity with Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport employing electricians for terminal systems, runway lighting, and cargo facilities. Covington and Newport feature growing tech companies, data centers, and manufacturing requiring industrial electricians. Airport electrical work pays$30-40/hour with federal contractor benefits and security clearance opportunities.

Bowling Green Automotive: General Motors Corvette Plant

General Motors Bowling Green Assembly exclusively manufactures Chevrolet Corvette sports cars requiring precision electrical systems for specialized assembly processes. Plant electricians maintain robotic paint systems, quality testing equipment, and custom assembly automation. This prestigious facility offers $32-42/hour with GM benefits, profit sharing, and the unique opportunity to work on America's premier sports car production line.

Why Kentucky Electricians Earn More

• Hazardous Work Premium: Coal mines and explosive atmospheres pay 30-50% above standard rates
• Strong Union Presence: IBEW and UMWA representation ensures excellent benefits
• Specialized Industries: Bourbon, coal, and automotive require unique electrical skills
• Overtime Opportunities: Mining and manufacturing offer extensive overtime hours
• Low Cost of Living: Kentucky housing costs 20% below national average
• No State Income Tax: On pension income for retirees