Machinists pay in Kentucky

In Kentucky, the median pay for machinists is $28.20 an hour ($58,660 a year). About 6,040 people work in this job there.

$28.20Median hourly pay

$48,560–$71,530Middle half of workers, yearly

6,040People in this job in Kentucky

That is about the same as the U.S. median ($58,750). Kentucky ranks 29th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for machinists in Kentucky

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$18.79	$39,070
25% of workers	$23.35	$48,560
Half of workers (median)	$28.20	$58,660
75% of workers	$34.39	$71,530
90% of workers	$37.51	$78,020

Machinists pay in Kentucky metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Louisville/Jefferson County	$60,500	990
Paducah	$60,300	100
Elizabethtown	$57,480	70
Bowling Green	$51,730	260
Owensboro	$47,170	90

Kentucky unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for machinists

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
Job outlook: +1% over ten years, little or no change · about 26,100 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Kentucky

Job	Median yearly pay
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$54,960
Tool and Die Makers	$66,570
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators	$49,180
Millwrights	$70,610
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$50,740
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$66,440
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$45,760
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	$51,470

Other job titles for this job

MachinistMaintenance MachinistCNC MachinistAircraft MachinistAuto MachinistCarbide OperatorCNC Lathe MachinistCNC Mill MachinistCNC Milling MachinistCNC Swiss MachinistConventional MachinistElectrical Experimental Mechanic

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.