Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$46,600
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-25% vs US median
US median $61,770
State Rank
#34 of 37
40 employed here

How much does a Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers make in Kentucky?

Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in Kentucky take home a median of $46,600 annually — roughly $22.40 an hour — which runs 25% below the national median of $61,770.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $38,130 while the top 10% make $70,050 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,130 and $58,080 a year.

Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,130$18.33
25th percentile (early career)$38,130$18.33
50th percentile (median)$46,600$22.40
75th percentile (experienced)$58,080$27.92
90th percentile (top earners)$70,050$33.68

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 34th out of 37 states and territories for Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Illinois$92,310
2North Dakota$81,400
3Alaska$80,210
4Wyoming$77,820
5Connecticut$71,890

Working as a Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers in Kentucky

Nationally, about 10,000 people work as Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($46,600) 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 Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers make in Kentucky?
The median Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers salary in Kentucky is $46,600 per year, or about $22.40 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,130 at the entry level to $70,050 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers about 25% less than the national median of $61,770. Kentucky ranks 34th out of 37 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $46,600 a year. About 40 Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers 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 Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers 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.