Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$45,450
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $43,220
State Rank
#13 of 50
8,640 employed here

How much do Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders make in Kentucky?

Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky take home a median of $45,450 annually — roughly $21.85 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $43,220.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $35,250 while the top 10% make $61,250 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,640 and $52,620 a year.

Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,250$16.95
25th percentile (early career)$38,640$18.58
50th percentile (median)$45,450$21.85
75th percentile (experienced)$52,620$25.30
90th percentile (top earners)$61,250$29.45

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 13th out of 50 states and territories for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Hampshire$49,450
2Wyoming$48,890
3Missouri$48,070
4Maine$47,970
5North Dakota$47,390

Working as Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky

Nationally, about 379,000 people work as Packaging and Filling 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 ($45,450) 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 Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders make in Kentucky?
The median Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Kentucky is $45,450 per year, or about $21.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,250 at the entry level to $61,250 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders about 5% more than the national median of $43,220. Kentucky ranks 13th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $45,450 a year. About 8,640 Packaging and Filling 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 Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary report

Related salaries

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.