Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Kentucky
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Kentucky earn a median of $57,530 a year ($27.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,430 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $58,040. Kentucky ranks 24th of 47 states for chemical equipment operators and tenders pay. There are 1.8 chemical equipment operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,470 | $18.97 |
| 25th percentile | $45,870 | $22.05 |
| Median | $57,530 | $27.66 |
| 75th percentile | $79,670 | $38.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,430 | $43.96 |
| Average (mean) | $61,950 | $29.79 |
Half of chemical equipment operators and tenders 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 | $4,794.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,397.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,212.69 |
| Weekly | $1,106.35 |
| Hourly | $27.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,530 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown, KY | $67,510 | 240 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $63,490 | 920 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $63,370 | 60 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $60,830 | 190 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $60,820 | 1,770 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $57,430 | 240 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $45,820 | 270 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $44,220 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for chemical equipment operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $101,590 |
| Alabama | $80,330 |
| Montana | $79,570 |
| Louisiana | $78,580 |
| Idaho | $77,100 |
| Rhode Island | $69,630 |
| Washington | $67,300 |
| West Virginia | $66,060 |
| Arkansas | $64,440 |
| Mississippi | $64,360 |
See Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders pay in every state.
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $42,130 | $20.26 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $58,050 | $27.91 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,180 | $17.40 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $58,770 | $28.25 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,180 | $23.16 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $46,770 | $22.48 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $41,590 | $20.00 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9011. 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 chemical equipment operators and tenders make in Kentucky?
The median salary for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Kentucky is $57,530 a year, or $27.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical equipment operators and tenders make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of chemical equipment operators and tenders in Kentucky earn at least $91,430 a year. The top 25% earn $79,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical equipment operators and tenders in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,470 a year, and a quarter of chemical equipment operators and tenders earn $45,870 or less.
How many chemical equipment operators and tenders work in Kentucky?
About 3,590 chemical equipment operators and tenders are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.