Kentucky Manufacturing Facts

Manufacturers in Kentucky account for 17.39% of the total output in the state, employing 13.16% of the workforce. Total output from manufacturing was $41.19 billion in 2021. In addition, there were an average of 250,000 manufacturing employees in Kentucky in December 2021, with an average annual compensation of $79,037.14 in 2021.

Manufacturing Output and Firms

Total Manufacturing Output ($billions, 2021)
$41.19
(Percent share of total gross state product)
17.39%
Manufacturing Firms in Kentucky (2019)
3,233

Employment and Compensation

Manufacturing Employment (December 2021)
250,000
(Percent share of nonfarm employment)
13.16%
Average Annual Compensation (Manufacturing, 2021)
$79,037.14
(Nonfarm Businesses, 2021)
$53,229.33

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau

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Kentucky Export Facts

Manufacturers help to drive the Kentucky economy, with $29.05 billion in manufactured goods exports in 2021.

Manufacturing Exports

Manufactured Goods Exports ($billions, 2021)
$29.05
Top 5 Export Markets (total percentage 2021)
60.92%
Canada
28.03%
Mexico
9.50%
United Kingdom
8.88%
China
8.05%
France
6.45%

Sources: International Trade Administration, U.S. Census Bureau

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Additional Trade Facts

  • The 20 U.S. FTA partners purchased 49.38% ($690.92 billion) of U.S. manufactured goods exports in 2021 – even though these countries represent only six percent of the world’s population and 10 percent of GDP.
  • FTA countries: Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Peru, Singapore and South Korea.