Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Salary in Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area

The median is $37,180 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,110, and experienced excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings can clear $217,370. The mean (average) is $63,270, reflecting that some workers earn substantially more. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,536/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 55.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.

Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining salary is worth about $37,180 in national-average purchasing power.

The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.