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IEC Kentuckiana (Louisville, KY)
Louisville, KY · Electrician (Non-Union)
Year 1 wage
$15–$19/hr
Journeyman
$30–$42/hr
Verified May 18, 20264 yr · 8,000 OJT hrs · $100 fee
Apprenticeships
Kentucky.
Free to attend. Paid from day one. No debt. Real numbers from the Department of Labor.
4,717
active construction apprentices
30+
registered programs (DOL)
1
verified open now
DOL RAPIDS data as of FY26 Q1 (March 2026)
Active Apprentices by Trade
Kentucky · DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 4,717 total
Electrician
2,150 apprentices$16.94/hr avg start
Pipefitter/Steamfitter
514 apprentices$21.91/hr avg start
Carpenter
484 apprentices$20.59/hr avg start
Plumber
447 apprentices$20.53/hr avg start
Laborer
253 apprentices$18.20/hr avg start
Ironworker
230 apprentices$21.56/hr avg start
Sheet Metal Worker
141 apprentices$19.32/hr avg start
Other Construction
114 apprentices$20.34/hr avg start
+8 additional trades not shown
Electrician
$16.94/hr
avg starting wage
Pipefitter/Steamfitter
$21.91/hr
avg starting wage
Carpenter
$20.59/hr
avg starting wage
Plumber
$20.53/hr
avg starting wage
What journeymen earn in Kentucky · BLS OEWS 2025 · median hourly
Electricians
$29.1/hr
~$61K/yr
Plumbers & Pipefitters
$31.66/hr
~$66K/yr
HVAC Techs
$27.16/hr
~$56K/yr
Line Installers
$37.8/hr
~$79K/yr
BLS OEWS median across 9 metro areas in Kentucky. Apprentices start at ~40–50% and graduate to full journeyman scale.
Verified Programs
Manually confirmed by PlumbSquare — application status current as of research date
1 manually verified. Kentucky has additional DOL-registered programs below and at Apprenticeship.gov →
DOL-Registered Programs
All active registered apprenticeship programs in Kentucky with 10+ active apprentices · Source: DOL RAPIDS FY26 Q1 · 30 shown
| Program / Sponsor | City | Trade(s) | Active | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
LOUISVILLE ELECTRICAL JATC (5YR ) | LOUISVILLE | Electrician | 787 | UNION |
PLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS LOC 502 Union/Labor | LOUISVILLE | HVAC TechnicianPipefitter/SteamfitterPlumber | 686 | UNION |
DAVIS H. ELLIOT CO., INC. Employer | LEXINGTON | Electrician | 518 | non-union |
Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters JATF-Louisville Other | Louisville | Carpenter | 385 | UNION |
IEC OF THE BLUEGRASS INC. Employer | LEXINGTON | Electrician | 251 | non-union |
BUILDING INSTITUTE OF CENTRAL KY | LEXINGTON | PlumberElectrician | 240 | non-union |
Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky Business Association | Louisville | CarpenterHVAC TechnicianPlumber+4 | 185 | non-union |
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local No. 452 JAC Union/Labor | LEXINGTON | PlumberPipefitter/Steamfitter | 137 | UNION |
Plumbers and Steamfitters L.U. 184 JAC Union/Labor | PADUCAH | Pipefitter/SteamfitterPlumber | 133 | UNION |
KY. LABORER'S J.A.T. TRUST FUND Union/Labor | LAWRENCEBURG | Laborer | 132 | UNION |
PADUCAH ELECTRICIANS JATC (5YRS) Union/Labor | PADUCAH | Electrician | 124 | UNION |
Ironworkers Local 44 Union/Labor | Hebron | Ironworker | 117 | UNION |
Kentucky Sheet Metal JATC Union/Labor | LOUISVILLE | Sheet Metal Worker | 111 | UNION |
5 Star Electric, LLC Employer | Clay | Electrician | 110 | non-union |
Iron Workers Local 70 JATC | LOUISVILLE | Ironworker | 94 | non-union |
PADUCAH IRONWORKERS LOCAL 782 JATF Union/Labor | PADUCAH | Ironworker | 85 | UNION |
AMTECK LLC Employer | LEXINGTON | Electrician | 77 | non-union |
AE Electrical Solutions Employer | Frankfort | Electrician | 76 | non-union |
ASHLAND IRONWORKERS, J.A.T. T.F. Union/Labor | ASHLAND | Ironworker | 69 | UNION |
OPERATING ENGINEERS JAC | BOSTON | Operating Engineer | 65 | UNION |
OWENSBORO ELECTRICAL J.A.T.C. Union/Labor | Owensboro | Electrician | 61 | UNION |
ASHLAND PLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS Union/Labor | ASHLAND | PlumberHVAC Technician | 56 | UNION |
Kentucky Community & Technical College System Community College/University | Versailles | ElectricianLaborer | 49 | non-union |
Messer Construction Co. | LEXINGTON | CarpenterLaborer | 49 | non-union |
LG&E ENERGY DELIVERY Employer | LOUISVILLE | Electrician | 40 | non-union |
Independent Electrical Contractors of Kentuckiana Employer | LOUISVILLE | Electrician | 37 | non-union |
HEAT & FROST INSULATORS LOCAL 51 Union/Labor | LOUISVILLE | Other Construction | 36 | UNION |
M & L Electrical INC. Employer | Bowling Green | Electrician | 34 | non-union |
Wagner Electric | Louisville | Electrician | 33 | non-union |
Pulaski County Board of Education Employer | Somerset | ElectricianHVAC Technician | 31 | non-union |
Programs with fewer than 10 active apprentices are not shown. Total DOL-registered programs in Kentucky may be higher. For the complete list, visit Apprenticeship.gov.
Common Questions
How do I become a trade apprentice in Kentucky?
Apply to a JATC or non-union program. Requirements: high school diploma or GED, basic math test, proof of age (18+). Some programs add physical requirements or drug testing. Application windows open and close seasonally — check program status before applying.
Are apprenticeships in Kentucky free?
Yes. Every DOL-registered apprenticeship is free to attend. Apprentices are employees, not students — you earn a wage from day one. No tuition, no student loans.
Union vs. non-union — which should I choose?
Union JATCs (IBEW, UA, SMART, UBC) typically offer higher wages, defined pension plans, and health insurance. Non-union programs (ABC, IEC) may have faster acceptance and work with open-shop contractors. Both paths are DOL-registered. Apply to both — take whoever accepts you first.
How long is a trade apprenticeship?
Most trades are 4–5 years (8,000–10,000 OJT hours). HVAC programs run 3–4 years. Lineman training is typically 3–4 years with specialized fieldwork. Every year your wage increases — you're earning near journeyman scale by your final year.
Kentucky Licensing
Kentucky is a right-to-work state. The Dept. of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC) is the central licensing authority for electricians, plumbers, HVAC contractors, and other building trades. DHBC operates distinct divisions for each trade.
Electrician / Plumber / HVAC
Kentucky Dept. of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC)
Board website →