Continuous Mining Machine Operator salary in Kentucky
Continuous Mining Machine Operators in Kentucky earn a median of $50,020 a year ($24.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,260 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $61,810. Kentucky ranks 21st of 27 states for continuous mining machine operators pay. There are 0.20 continuous mining machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for continuous mining machine operators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,950 | $23.53 |
| 25th percentile | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| Median | $50,020 | $24.05 |
| 75th percentile | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,260 | $32.82 |
| Average (mean) | $56,920 | $27.36 |
Half of continuous mining machine operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,168.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,084.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,923.85 |
| Weekly | $961.92 |
| Hourly | $24.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for continuous mining machine operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $90,820 |
| Nevada | $85,590 |
| Wyoming | $85,260 |
| Colorado | $81,110 |
| West Virginia | $77,570 |
| Illinois | $74,830 |
| Indiana | $71,570 |
| Virginia | $63,480 |
| California | $62,790 |
| Florida | $62,580 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $50,360 | $24.21 |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $44,000 | $21.16 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $68,020 | $32.70 |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $28,280 | $13.60 |
| Roof Bolters, Mining | $72,510 | $34.86 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $56,160 | $27.00 |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Electrician | $59,720 | $28.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $73,490 | $35.33 |
| Carpenter | $52,680 | $25.33 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $64,160 | $30.84 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-5041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a continuous mining machine operator make in Kentucky?
The median salary for continuous mining machine operators in Kentucky is $50,020 a year, or $24.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid continuous mining machine operators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of continuous mining machine operators in Kentucky earn at least $68,260 a year. The top 25% earn $63,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for continuous mining machine operators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,950 a year, and a quarter of continuous mining machine operators earn $49,900 or less.
How many continuous mining machine operators work in Kentucky?
About 390 continuous mining machine operators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.