Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling 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
$35,850
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $43,530
State Rank
#35 of 39
310 employed here

How much do Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders make in Kentucky?

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $35,850 per year, or about $17.24 per hour. That is 18% below the national median of $43,530 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $47,630 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,350 and $45,090 a year.

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,200$15.00
25th percentile (early career)$33,350$16.03
50th percentile (median)$35,850$17.24
75th percentile (experienced)$45,090$21.68
90th percentile (top earners)$47,630$22.90

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 35th out of 39 states and territories for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maine$64,610
2Wisconsin$54,290
3Oregon$49,130
4North Dakota$48,240
5Pennsylvania$48,000

Working as Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders in Kentucky

Nationally, about 15,000 people work as Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling 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 ($35,850) 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 Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders make in Kentucky?
The median Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Kentucky is $35,850 per year, or about $17.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $47,630 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders about 18% less than the national median of $43,530. Kentucky ranks 35th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $35,850 a year. About 310 Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling 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 Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling 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.