Kentucky Median
$48,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.34
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $44,810
State Rank
#13 of 44
340 employed here
How much do Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders make in Kentucky?
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $48,540 per year, or about $23.34 per hour. That is 8% above the national median of $44,810 for this occupation.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $27,690 while the top 10% make $64,470 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,720 and $64,470 a year.
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,690 | $13.31 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $32,720 | $15.73 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,540 | $23.34 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $64,470 | $31.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,470 | $31.00 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 13th out of 44 states and territories for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary in other states
North Dakota $77,300Maryland $60,170Colorado $59,590Virginia $59,260Alaska $55,280Nevada $54,950Washington $50,590Minnesota $50,340Maine $50,220Pennsylvania $49,660New York $49,020Wisconsin $48,560Idaho $48,250Michigan $48,240Iowa $47,960Utah $47,940Oregon $46,250California $45,600Massachusetts $45,400Hawaii $45,390Arkansas $45,080South Dakota $45,040Kansas $44,550Ohio $44,190Missouri $43,460Nebraska $43,410Indiana $43,370Arizona $43,010Oklahoma $42,390Connecticut $41,720Vermont $40,990South Carolina $40,000Tennessee $39,130Louisiana $38,440Illinois $38,230Georgia $37,390New Jersey $37,140Texas $37,140Mississippi $37,030North Carolina $35,980New Mexico $35,480Montana $35,360Florida $35,340
Working as Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky
Nationally, about 20,000 people work as Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine 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 ($48,540) 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 Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders make in Kentucky?
The median Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Kentucky is $48,540 per year, or about $23.34 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,690 at the entry level to $64,470 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders about 8% more than the national median of $44,810. Kentucky ranks 13th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $48,540 a year. About 340 Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine 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 Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine 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.