Aerospace and Defense

Jobs in the Aerospace & Defense Sector

Soar to success

Our region offers a prime location for Aerospace and Defense research, manufacturing, assembly, and services. 

Available workforce

There are 122 major Universities, and 78 Community and Technical Colleges within a 200 mile radius of the Southwestern Kentucky region.  Fort Campbell, the 3rd largest US Military post has 400-600 soldiers who are exiting the military each month into our workforce with a high skill set. There are over 463,000 people in our regional labor shed. 

Market Proximity

The Southwestern Kentucky region is within 1 hour of the Nashville International airport. 86% of the population can be reached within a 600 mile radius, and we are within 250 miles of several major markets. 

Connectivity

The Southwestern Kentucky region has access to the CSX, a leading supplier of rail-based freight transportation in North America. We also have direct access to several major highways and interstates including I24, I169, and I69.  As far as water transportation goes, we are home to the Eddyville Riverport. 

Competitive Business Environment

The Southwestern Kentucky region is ranked #1 in Kentucky Export, and ranked the #2 Aerospace Export state in the nation for aviation related business. Kentucky is already home to 79 Aerospace related industries, and home to 21 International companies representing 11 different countries. We rank #2 in the nation for total air cargo shipments. We offer aggressive state and local incentives, with low business and personal taxation rates. . Our region is located in the TVA Service Territory, the nation's largest supplier of public power with 99.999% transmission reliability. 

Kentucky is home to the UPS World Port, DHL Americas hub in Northern Kentucky, the Amazon air global port in Northern Kentucky, and several large FedEx ground hubs throughout the state. Due to this strong presence by the world's most prestegious logistics companies, products manufactured in Kentucky can get anywhere in the world virually overnight. 

Jobs in the Aerospace & Defense Sector

Companies:

• Plymouth Shapes and Engineering
• Novelis

Types of Jobs:

• Avionics Technician
• Aerospace Engineer
• Engineering (mechanical, electrical, chemical and process)
• Assembly (Welding)
• Machine Operators
• Manufacturing Technician
• Warehouse 
• Maintenance Technicians
• Tool & Dye
• Logistics

Highlighted Skills Preferred and/or Required:

• Computer aided design and drafting
• Machining
• Welding
• Maintenance tech
• Logistics/ Supply Chain Management
• Robotics
• Aviation Mechanics

Average Wages:

• For untrained employees, starting pay is in the $17.00 to $18.00 range
• Max out pay in the $22.00 to $24.00 range
   
• Maintenance and Tool & Dye employees have starting pay at $25.00 to $27.00 
• Maintenance and Tool & Dye max out pay is $33.00 to $35.00 range
   
• Median Average Salary for Aerospace Engineers (2022): $122,000

Highlighted Regional Training Opportunities:

• Christian County Public Schools Gateway Academy Aviation Mechanic Program
• Madisonville Community College Aviation Mechanic Program
• Todd County Public Schools Advanced Manufacturing Program
• Trigg County Public Schools Engineering Program
• Hopkinsville Community College Workforce Solutions/ HOPFAME
• Murray State University Engineering and Supply Chain Management
• Western Kentucky University Advanced Manufacturing Certificate
• Austin Peay State University Mechatronics