Officials with the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council announced Monday that a recent survey of regional manufacturers and industries show strong wages and more value for your dollar in South Western Kentucky.
Executive Director Carter Hendricks released the summary Monday evening and said with competitive wages in the region, it’s clear that South Western Kentucky provides an outstanding quality of life at a comparatively low cost of living.
Hendricks said the highlights of the survey include:
-Eighteen regional industries participated in the survey.
– Regional entry-level positions range from $15.92+ per hour for operators, production, and warehouse employees to over $22 per hour for maintenance.
– Regional industrial salaries top-out at $20-$30 per hour based on job classification and experience.
– South Western Kentucky industries are offering competitive benefits packages and sign-on bonuses.
In addition, Hendricks said the research showed regional industries primarily advertise open positions on a variety of platforms ranging from social media to radio. The research also showed industries and manufacturers are also interested in participating in job fairs, workforce programs, and regional high schools.
Associate Director Tony Prim with the South Western Kentucky EDC thanked the eighteen industries that took time to complete the EDC’s wage and skill survey. He added the invaluable information provided will allow the South Western Kentucky EDC to better serve its existing industries and to partner with its regional workforce and education partners to ensure the EDC continues to deliver a strong workforce for industrial partners.
EDC officials said with no sales tax on groceries, property taxes among the lowest in the nation, housing prices 23% below the national average, and cost of living 13% below the national average, South-Western Kentucky’s industrial workforce is earning wages that provide an incredible quality of life. According to Statista, an employee has to earn only $15.78 in Kentucky to comfortably afford housing as compared to $17.59 in Tennessee. An employee has to earn over 10% more in Tennessee to enjoy the housing in Kentucky.
Hendricks said with our low taxes and cost of living combined with strong wages, our region is the perfect choice to start your new career opportunity or start your next business/industry and take advantage of our less taxing, more relaxing way of life.
