Machinist salary in Kentucky
Machinists in Kentucky earn a median of $58,660 a year ($28.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,020 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $58,750. Kentucky ranks 29th of 51 states for machinists pay. There are 3.0 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,070 | $18.79 |
| 25th percentile | $48,560 | $23.35 |
| Median | $58,660 | $28.20 |
| 75th percentile | $71,530 | $34.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| Average (mean) | $59,560 | $28.64 |
Half of machinists 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 | $4,888.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,444.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,256.15 |
| Weekly | $1,128.08 |
| Hourly | $28.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $60,500 | 990 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $60,300 | 100 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $57,820 | 360 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $57,480 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $57,300 | 2,890 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $51,730 | 260 |
| Owensboro, KY | $47,170 | 90 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $46,290 | 680 |
Highest-paying states for machinists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 |
| Alaska | $77,670 |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 |
| Washington | $66,160 |
| Oregon | $63,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,190 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 |
| Vermont | $62,680 |
| Delaware | $62,650 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4041. 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 machinist make in Kentucky?
The median salary for machinists in Kentucky is $58,660 a year, or $28.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of machinists in Kentucky earn at least $78,020 a year. The top 25% earn $71,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,070 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $48,560 or less.
How many machinists work in Kentucky?
About 6,040 machinists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.