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Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Kentucky

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Kentucky?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$34,680
Median Annual Salary
▼ -10.6% vs 2024
$38,630
Mean Salary
$34,680
Median Salary
$16.67
Hourly Rate
630 people work as Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by percentile in Kentucky

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

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Kentucky — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky.10thBottom 10% earn less than $26,110$26,11025th25% earn less than $27,520$27,520MedianHalf earn more than $34,680$34,68075th75% earn less than $43,680$43,68090thTop 10% earn more than $68,300$68,300

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky earn a median salary of $34,680 per year ($2,890/month). This is 21.6% below the national average of $44,246. Kentucky ranks #38 out of 40 states for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. Approximately 630 people work in this occupation across Kentucky. Salaries decreased by 10.6% compared to 2024.

About This Job: Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend plating machines to coat metal or plastic products with chromium, zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel, or other metal to protect or decorate surfaces. Typically, the product being coated is immersed in molten metal or an electrolytic solution.

Top Skills

Operations Monitoring
3.25
Reading Comprehension
3.12
Active Listening
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Operation and Control
3.12

Key Knowledge Areas

Production and Processing
4.17
Mathematics
3.5
Chemistry
3.43
English Language
3.39
Mechanical
3.3
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma (49.2% of workers)

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

Salary Range: Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky

Salaries for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky range from $26,110 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $68,300 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $27,520 and $43,680.

Median $34,680
P10: $26,110 P25: $27,520 P75: $43,680 P90: $68,300
10th
$26,110
25th
$27,520
Median
$34,680
75th
$43,680
90th
$68,300
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $26,110 $12.55 $2,175
25th Percentile $27,520 $13.23 $2,293
Median (50th) $34,680 $16.67 $2,890
75th Percentile $43,680 $21.00 $3,640
90th Percentile (Experienced) $68,300 $32.84 $5,691

Note: The mean (average) salary of $38,630 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#38
Kentucky ranks #38 of 40 states
$44,246
National avg. for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
-21.6%
vs. national average
Below Average

Similar Jobs That Pay More in Kentucky:

What does this salary really buy? See Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Kentucky adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic take-home pay in Kentucky after taxes →

Explore Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Data in Kentucky

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State

Compare Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

View all 50 states →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Kentucky?
The median annual salary for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky is $34,680 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $38,630.
What is the salary range for a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky?
Salaries for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky range from $26,110 at the 10th percentile to $68,300 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $27,520 and $43,680.
What is the starting salary for a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky?
Entry-level Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic positions in Kentucky typically start around $26,110 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $27,520 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 630 people are employed as Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky.
What is the hourly rate for a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Kentucky is approximately $16.67 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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