Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting 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
$36,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.39
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-21% vs US median
US median $45,760
State Rank
#45 of 45
1,690 employed here

How much do Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in Kentucky?

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $36,180 per year, or about $17.39 per hour. That is 21% below the national median of $45,760 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $31,110 while the top 10% make $45,710 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,210 and $45,200 a year.

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,110$14.96
25th percentile (early career)$32,210$15.49
50th percentile (median)$36,180$17.39
75th percentile (experienced)$45,200$21.73
90th percentile (top earners)$45,710$21.98

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 45th out of 45 states and territories for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Maine$57,990
2Pennsylvania$53,580
3Vermont$52,340
4Minnesota$52,070
5South Carolina$51,620

Working as Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Kentucky

Nationally, about 59,000 people work as Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting 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 ($36,180) 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 Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in Kentucky?
The median Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Kentucky is $36,180 per year, or about $17.39 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,110 at the entry level to $45,710 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders about 21% less than the national median of $45,760. Kentucky ranks 45th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,180 a year. About 1,690 Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, 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 Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary report

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.