Logging Equipment Operator salary in Kentucky
Logging Equipment Operators in Kentucky earn a median of $30,230 a year ($14.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,460 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $49,740. Kentucky ranks 36th of 36 states for logging equipment operators pay. There are 0.15 logging equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for logging equipment operators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,800 | $10.00 |
| 25th percentile | $25,320 | $12.18 |
| Median | $30,230 | $14.53 |
| 75th percentile | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,460 | $24.74 |
| Average (mean) | $37,120 | $17.84 |
Half of logging equipment 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 | $2,519.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,259.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,162.69 |
| Weekly | $581.35 |
| Hourly | $14.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for logging equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $75,140 |
| Illinois | $71,100 |
| Texas | $62,890 |
| California | $61,940 |
| South Dakota | $58,740 |
| Oregon | $58,720 |
| Louisiana | $58,600 |
| Minnesota | $58,590 |
| Montana | $56,530 |
| Idaho | $56,490 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Log Graders and Scalers | $45,330 | $21.80 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $38,030 | $18.29 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $33,050 | $15.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $62,030 | $29.82 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $46,640 | $22.42 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $37,300 | $17.94 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $39,970 | $19.22 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-4022. 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 logging equipment operator make in Kentucky?
The median salary for logging equipment operators in Kentucky is $30,230 a year, or $14.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid logging equipment operators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of logging equipment operators in Kentucky earn at least $51,460 a year. The top 25% earn $48,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for logging equipment operators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,800 a year, and a quarter of logging equipment operators earn $25,320 or less.
How many logging equipment operators work in Kentucky?
About 300 logging equipment operators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.