Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in Kentucky
Agricultural Equipment Operators in Kentucky earn a median of $42,000 a year ($20.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,880 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $41,730. Kentucky ranks 22nd of 40 states for agricultural equipment operators pay. There are 0.09 agricultural equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $48,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for agricultural equipment operators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| 25th percentile | $40,150 | $19.30 |
| Median | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| 75th percentile | $46,260 | $22.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,880 | $40.81 |
| Average (mean) | $48,050 | $23.10 |
Half of agricultural 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 | $3,500 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,750 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,615.38 |
| Weekly | $807.69 |
| Hourly | $20.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $54,380 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for agricultural equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Montana | $58,770 |
| Louisiana | $58,520 |
| New York | $50,020 |
| Delaware | $49,910 |
| Massachusetts | $49,150 |
| Minnesota | $48,520 |
| North Dakota | $48,080 |
| South Dakota | $48,060 |
| Virginia | $47,890 |
| Iowa | $47,220 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $38,030 | $18.29 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $33,050 | $15.89 |
| Agricultural Inspector | $46,640 | $22.42 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $37,300 | $17.94 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $39,970 | $19.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $62,030 | $29.82 |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $30,230 | $14.53 |
| Log Graders and Scalers | $45,330 | $21.80 |
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 45-2091. 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 agricultural equipment operator make in Kentucky?
The median salary for agricultural equipment operators in Kentucky is $42,000 a year, or $20.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid agricultural equipment operators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of agricultural equipment operators in Kentucky earn at least $84,880 a year. The top 25% earn $46,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for agricultural equipment operators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,940 a year, and a quarter of agricultural equipment operators earn $40,150 or less.
How many agricultural equipment operators work in Kentucky?
About 190 agricultural equipment operators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.