SOC 49-9043 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Maintenance Workers, Machinery — Kentucky
Kentucky · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Maintenance Workers, Machinery in Kentucky is $76,710 per year, well above the national median of $60,850.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Maintenance Workers, Machinery in Kentucky is $76,710 per year, well above the national median of $60,850. The gap of 26.1% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $60,230 and $157,260. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $48,980 and the ninetieth at $162,460.
Employment stands at 2,920, or 1.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Kentucky ranks number 3rd out of 46 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Louisville/Jefferson County records the highest median at $157,260. Of the 699 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 157th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,980 | −19.5% |
| 25th | $60,230 | −1.0% |
| Median (50th) | $76,710 | +26.1% |
| 75th | $157,260 | +158.4% |
| 90th | $162,460 | +167.0% |
| Mean | $96,450 | +58.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $157,260 | 970 | |
| 2 | Lexington | $74,610 | 220 | |
| 3 | Elizabethtown | $65,660 | 70 | |
| 4 | Bowling Green | $59,100 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $76,710 goes as far as $85,044 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 39.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$76,710as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$85,044US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $76,710 a year, 26.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,980 to $162,460 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,920 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 3rd of 46 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Louisville/Jefferson County, at $157,260.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Maintenance Workers, Machinery in Kentucky?
The median annual wage is $76,710, or $36.88 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,850, so pay in Kentucky is 26.1% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Kentucky earns more than $162,460 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,980 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Louisville/Jefferson County, at $157,260 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,920 jobs in this occupation in Kentucky. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data