Kentucky Median
$38,520
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.52
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-43% vs US median
US median $67,890
State Rank
#25 of 26
30 employed here
How much do Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas make in Kentucky?
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Kentucky take home a median of $38,520 annually — roughly $18.52 an hour — which runs 43% below the national median of $67,890.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $36,270 while the top 10% make $46,030 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,060 and $42,670 a year.
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,270 | $17.44 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,060 | $17.82 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,520 | $18.52 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $42,670 | $20.51 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,030 | $22.13 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 25th out of 26 states and territories for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in other states
Alaska $85,470New Mexico $82,780Colorado $79,830Nebraska $79,140Texas $77,840North Dakota $71,280Utah $70,400Alabama $67,400Mississippi $67,290New York $67,000California $65,520Ohio $63,600Arizona $62,920Florida $61,970Pennsylvania $61,780Virginia $61,410Wyoming $61,000Kansas $60,600Tennessee $58,780North Carolina $57,760West Virginia $57,020Oklahoma $55,160Michigan $54,020Louisiana $49,410Arkansas $37,700
Working as Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in Kentucky
Nationally, about 13,000 people work as Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($38,520) 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 Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas make in Kentucky?
The median Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas salary in Kentucky is $38,520 per year, or about $18.52 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,270 at the entry level to $46,030 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas about 43% less than the national median of $67,890. Kentucky ranks 25th out of 26 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,520 a year. About 30 Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas 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 Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas 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.