Slaughterers and Meat Packers Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Slaughterers and Meat Packers in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$38,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $40,130
State Rank
#29 of 47
320 employed here

How much do Slaughterers and Meat Packers make in Kentucky?

Slaughterers and Meat Packers working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $38,330 per year, or about $18.43 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $40,130 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $36,600 while the top 10% make $42,400 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,520 and $42,400 a year.

Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,600$17.60
25th percentile (early career)$37,520$18.04
50th percentile (median)$38,330$18.43
75th percentile (experienced)$42,400$20.38
90th percentile (top earners)$42,400$20.38

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 29th out of 47 states and territories for Slaughterers and Meat Packers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Colorado$50,480
2Arizona$49,020
3Nebraska$48,910
4Kansas$48,240
5Montana$46,700

Working as Slaughterers and Meat Packers in Kentucky

Nationally, about 70,000 people work as Slaughterers and Meat Packers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Kentucky pay ($38,330) 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 Slaughterers and Meat Packers make in Kentucky?
The median Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in Kentucky is $38,330 per year, or about $18.43 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,600 at the entry level to $42,400 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Slaughterers and Meat Packers about 4% less than the national median of $40,130. Kentucky ranks 29th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Slaughterers and Meat Packers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,330 a year. About 320 Slaughterers and Meat Packers 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 Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary report

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.