Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Kentucky
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics in Kentucky make a median of $59,700 a year, or about $28.7 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $70K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $60K get you in Kentucky?
About forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Kentucky
Entry-level forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K.Top earners bring in $70K or more - a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $64K | +29% | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $61K | +23% | 250 |
| Kentucky | $60K | +21% | 860 |
| Nebraska | $59K | +19% | 190 |
| California | $58K | +17% | 480 |
| Oklahoma | $56K | +14% | N/A |
| New York | $53K | +8% | 160 |
| Virginia | $53K | +8% | 310 |
| Oregon | $52K | +6% | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $52K | +5% | 80 |
| Arkansas | $52K | +5% | 180 |
| Michigan | $51K | +3% | 780 |
| Kansas | $51K | +3% | 130 |
| Ohio | $50K | +2% | 680 |
| Nevada | $50K | +1% | 40 |
Track forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kentucky numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics make in Kentucky?
The median is $59,700 a year - that works out to about $28.7 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,230, and experienced forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics can clear $70,020. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Kentucky?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,968/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,110/month (median of metro areas), which eats 28% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary go in Kentucky?
Kentucky 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 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary is worth about $59,700 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics get paid the most?
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.