Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Kentucky
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky earn a median of $36,110 a year ($17.36 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $32,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,590 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $49,030. Kentucky ranks 31st of 32 states for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic pay. The average (mean) salary is $40,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,460 | $15.61 |
| 25th percentile | $34,850 | $16.75 |
| Median | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| 75th percentile | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Average (mean) | $40,810 | $19.62 |
Half of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic 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 | $3,009.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,504.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,388.85 |
| Weekly | $694.42 |
| Hourly | $17.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $69,210 |
| Oklahoma | $61,720 |
| Michigan | $61,620 |
| Nebraska | $60,460 |
| Wisconsin | $60,310 |
| California | $59,250 |
| Colorado | $57,970 |
| Ohio | $56,870 |
| New York | $56,350 |
| Missouri | $55,210 |
See Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in every state.
Related jobs in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4022. 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 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Kentucky?
The median salary for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Kentucky is $36,110 a year, or $17.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Kentucky earn at least $59,590 a year. The top 25% earn $44,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,460 a year, and a quarter of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $34,850 or less.