Kentucky Median
$36,110
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-26% vs US median
US median $49,030
State Rank
#31 of 32
state estimate
How much do Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Kentucky?
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $36,110 per year, or about $17.36 per hour. That is 26% below the national median of $49,030 for this occupation.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $32,460 while the top 10% make $59,590 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,850 and $44,720 a year.
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,460 | $15.61 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,850 | $16.75 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,110 | $17.36 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $44,720 | $21.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,590 | $28.65 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 31st out of 32 states and territories for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in other states
Oregon $69,210Oklahoma $61,720Michigan $61,620Nebraska $60,460Wisconsin $60,310California $59,250Colorado $57,970Ohio $56,870New York $56,350Missouri $55,210Virginia $54,230Indiana $53,550Massachusetts $51,770Kansas $51,120Pennsylvania $50,280Maryland $49,920Illinois $49,750South Carolina $49,610Arizona $48,730Iowa $47,010Alabama $46,970Georgia $46,490Connecticut $45,120Nevada $45,040Tennessee $43,810Florida $40,480Mississippi $39,550Arkansas $38,120Texas $37,390West Virginia $37,390New Jersey $35,630
Working as Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky
Nationally, about 9,000 people work as Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($36,110) 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 Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Kentucky?
The median Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Kentucky is $36,110 per year, or about $17.36 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,460 at the entry level to $59,590 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 26% less than the national median of $49,030. Kentucky ranks 31st out of 32 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,110 a year. 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 Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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.