Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$48,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.16
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $46,570
State Rank
#16 of 47
900 employed here

How much do Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in Kentucky?

Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Kentucky take home a median of $48,180 annually — roughly $23.16 an hour — which runs 3% above the national median of $46,570.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $37,820 while the top 10% make $59,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,670 and $56,330 a year.

Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,820$18.18
25th percentile (early career)$43,670$21.00
50th percentile (median)$48,180$23.16
75th percentile (experienced)$56,330$27.08
90th percentile (top earners)$59,810$28.75

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 16th out of 47 states and territories for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Minnesota$58,260
2Vermont$52,220
3Colorado$51,750
4Montana$51,540
5Oregon$51,180

Working as Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Kentucky

Nationally, about 45,000 people work as Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, 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 ($48,180) 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 Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in Kentucky?
The median Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Kentucky is $48,180 per year, or about $23.16 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,820 at the entry level to $59,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders about 3% more than the national median of $46,570. Kentucky ranks 16th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $48,180 a year. About 900 Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders are employed in Kentucky. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
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 Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, 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.