Crematory Operator Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$37,740
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.14
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $43,650
State Rank
#19 of 24
50 employed here

How much does a Crematory Operator make in Kentucky?

A Crematory Operator working in Kentucky earns a median salary of $37,740 per year, or about $18.14 per hour. That is 14% below the national median of $43,650 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $32,150 while the top 10% make $50,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,200 and $41,170 a year.

Crematory Operator salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$32,150$15.46
25th percentile (early career)$34,200$16.44
50th percentile (median)$37,740$18.14
75th percentile (experienced)$41,170$19.79
90th percentile (top earners)$50,990$24.51

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 19th out of 24 states and territories for Crematory Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Wisconsin$64,220
2Massachusetts$56,050
3Washington$53,580
4Colorado$52,060
5Delaware$50,320

Working as a Crematory Operator in Kentucky

Nationally, about 3,000 people work as Crematory Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($37,740) 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 does a Crematory Operator make in Kentucky?
The median Crematory Operator salary in Kentucky is $37,740 per year, or about $18.14 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,150 at the entry level to $50,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Crematory Operators about 14% less than the national median of $43,650. Kentucky ranks 19th out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Crematory Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,740 a year. About 50 Crematory Operators 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 Crematory Operator 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.