Kentucky Median
$58,660
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+-0% vs US median
US median $58,750
State Rank
#29 of 51
6,040 employed here
How much does a Machinist make in Kentucky?
A Machinist working in Kentucky earns a median salary of $58,660 per year, or about $28.20 per hour. That is 0% above the national median of $58,750 for this occupation.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $39,070 while the top 10% make $78,020 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,560 and $71,530 a year.
Machinist salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,070 | $18.78 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,560 | $23.35 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,660 | $28.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $71,530 | $34.39 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,020 | $37.51 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories for Machinist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Machinist salary in other states
Hawaii $84,410Alaska $77,670District of Columbia $72,900Massachusetts $67,270Washington $66,160Oregon $63,820New Jersey $63,190Wyoming $63,070Vermont $62,680Delaware $62,650Connecticut $62,130North Dakota $61,820New Hampshire $61,500Virginia $61,290Utah $61,280Minnesota $61,140Louisiana $61,110Arizona $61,080Montana $60,920New York $60,920Colorado $60,200Maryland $59,810New Mexico $59,440Texas $59,180Maine $59,160Wisconsin $59,110Idaho $58,810Missouri $58,710Illinois $58,520South Carolina $57,970Ohio $57,940Pennsylvania $57,810Indiana $57,800Rhode Island $57,760Iowa $57,540California $57,190Florida $57,140Nebraska $55,860Alabama $55,560Mississippi $55,550North Carolina $55,230Nevada $53,050Georgia $52,610Michigan $52,360Kansas $51,220Arkansas $51,140Oklahoma $51,120South Dakota $50,890Tennessee $49,600West Virginia $47,350
Working as a Machinist in Kentucky
Nationally, about 287,000 people work as Machinists in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($58,660) 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 Machinist make in Kentucky?
The median Machinist salary in Kentucky is $58,660 per year, or about $28.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,070 at the entry level to $78,020 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Machinists about 0% more than the national median of $58,750. Kentucky ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Machinists?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $58,660 a year. About 6,040 Machinists 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 Machinist 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.