Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$57,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.66
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $58,040
State Rank
#24 of 47
3,590 employed here

How much do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders make in Kentucky?

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $57,530 per year, or about $27.66 per hour. That is 1% below the national median of $58,040 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $39,470 while the top 10% make $91,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,870 and $79,670 a year.

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,470$18.98
25th percentile (early career)$45,870$22.05
50th percentile (median)$57,530$27.66
75th percentile (experienced)$79,670$38.30
90th percentile (top earners)$91,430$43.96

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 24th out of 47 states and territories for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Wyoming$101,590
2Alabama$80,330
3Montana$79,570
4Louisiana$78,580
5Idaho$77,100

Working as Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Kentucky

Nationally, about 140,000 people work as Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($57,530) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders make in Kentucky?
The median Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Kentucky is $57,530 per year, or about $27.66 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,470 at the entry level to $91,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders about 1% less than the national median of $58,040. Kentucky ranks 24th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,530 a year. About 3,590 Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.