SOC 51-4193 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Lexington
Lexington-Fayette, KY · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Lexington, KY is $28,380 per year, substantially below the national median of $43,960 — a gap of 35.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Lexington, KY is $28,380 per year, substantially below the national median of $43,960 — a gap of 35.4%. Half of workers earn between $27,520 and $33,330. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $27,520 and the ninetieth at $37,780.
Employment stands at 150, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Louisville/Jefferson County records the highest median at $38,240. Of the 469 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 461st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,520 | −37.4% |
| 25th | $27,520 | −37.4% |
| Median (50th) | $28,380 | −35.4% |
| 75th | $33,330 | −24.2% |
| 90th | $37,780 | −14.1% |
| Mean | $31,300 | −28.8% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $38,240 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lexington run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $28,380 goes as far as $31,463 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 28.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,380as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,463US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,380 a year, 35.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,520 to $37,780 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 150 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Louisville/Jefferson County, at $38,240.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Lexington, KY?
The median annual wage is $28,380, or $13.65 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 $43,960, so pay in Lexington, KY is 35.4% lower. 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 Lexington, KY earns more than $37,780 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,520 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 $38,240 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 150 jobs in this occupation in Lexington, KY. 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.
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