Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Paper Goods 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
$58,050
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.91
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+15% vs US median
US median $50,270
State Rank
#7 of 43
2,670 employed here

How much do Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in Kentucky?

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $58,050 per year, or about $27.91 per hour. That is 15% above the national median of $50,270 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $46,450 while the top 10% make $76,610 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,800 and $61,250 a year.

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,450$22.33
25th percentile (early career)$50,800$24.42
50th percentile (median)$58,050$27.91
75th percentile (experienced)$61,250$29.45
90th percentile (top earners)$76,610$36.83

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 7th out of 43 states and territories for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oklahoma$63,640
2Maine$61,780
3Utah$60,790
4Washington$59,410
5Louisiana$58,230

Working as Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Kentucky

Nationally, about 96,000 people work as Paper Goods 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 ($58,050) 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 Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in Kentucky?
The median Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Kentucky is $58,050 per year, or about $27.91 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,450 at the entry level to $76,610 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders about 15% more than the national median of $50,270. Kentucky ranks 7th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Kentucky pays above the national median for this occupation, at $58,050 a year. About 2,670 Paper Goods Machine Setters, 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 Paper Goods Machine Setters, 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.