Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$34,680
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.67
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-21% vs US median
US median $43,960
State Rank
#38 of 40
630 employed here

How much do Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Kentucky?

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $34,680 per year, or about $16.67 per hour. That is 21% below the national median of $43,960 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $26,110 while the top 10% make $68,300 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,520 and $43,680 a year.

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$26,110$12.55
25th percentile (early career)$27,520$13.23
50th percentile (median)$34,680$16.67
75th percentile (experienced)$43,680$21.00
90th percentile (top earners)$68,300$32.84

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 38th out of 40 states and territories for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Iowa$70,910
2Washington$58,000
3Mississippi$52,090
4Arkansas$51,140
5Oklahoma$49,330

Working as Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky

Nationally, about 32,000 people work as Plating 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 ($34,680) 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 Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Kentucky?
The median Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Kentucky is $34,680 per year, or about $16.67 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $26,110 at the entry level to $68,300 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 21% less than the national median of $43,960. Kentucky ranks 38th out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,680 a year. About 630 Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in Kentucky. 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 Plating 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.