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Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Kentucky

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders make in Kentucky?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$48,540
Median Annual Salary
▲ +13.0% vs 2024
$48,790
Mean Salary
$48,540
Median Salary
$23.34
Hourly Rate
340 people work as Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary by percentile in Kentucky

BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Kentucky — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky.10thBottom 10% earn less than $27,690$27,69025th25% earn less than $32,720$32,720MedianHalf earn more than $48,540$48,54075th75% earn less than $64,470$64,47090thTop 10% earn more than $64,470$64,470

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky earn a median salary of $48,540 per year ($4,045/month). This is 6.1% above the national average of $45,736. Kentucky ranks #13 out of 44 states for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders pay. Approximately 340 people work in this occupation across Kentucky. Salaries increased by 13.0% compared to 2024.

About This Job: Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders

Operate or tend food or tobacco roasting, baking, or drying equipment, including hearth ovens, kiln driers, roasters, char kilns, and vacuum drying equipment.

Top Skills

Operations Monitoring
3.62
Monitoring
3.5
Reading Comprehension
3.12
Active Listening
3.12
Critical Thinking
3.12

Key Knowledge Areas

Production and Processing
3.58
English Language
3.29
Public Safety and Security
3.05
Food Production
3.04
Mathematics
2.3
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent (60.8% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky

Salaries for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky range from $27,690 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $64,470 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $32,720 and $64,470.

Median $48,540
P10: $27,690 P25: $32,720 P75: $64,470 P90: $64,470
10th
$27,690
25th
$32,720
Median
$48,540
75th
$64,470
90th
$64,470
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $27,690 $13.31 $2,307
25th Percentile $32,720 $15.73 $2,726
Median (50th) $48,540 $23.34 $4,045
75th Percentile $64,470 $31.00 $5,372
90th Percentile (Experienced) $64,470 $31.00 $5,372

Note: The mean (average) salary of $48,790 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#13
Kentucky ranks #13 of 44 states
$45,736
National avg. for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
+6.1%
vs. national average
Above Average

What does this salary really buy? See Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Kentucky adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders take-home pay in Kentucky after taxes →

Explore Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders Data in Kentucky

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders Salary by State

Compare Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

View all 50 states →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders make in Kentucky?
The median annual salary for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky is $48,540 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $48,790.
What is the salary range for a Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky?
Salaries for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky range from $27,690 at the 10th percentile to $64,470 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $32,720 and $64,470.
What is the starting salary for a Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky?
Entry-level Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders positions in Kentucky typically start around $27,690 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $32,720 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 340 people are employed as Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky.
What is the hourly rate for a Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Kentucky is approximately $23.34 per hour.

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Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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