SOC 53-7072 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers — Kentucky
Kentucky
Median pay for this occupation in Kentucky is $46,600 a year, trailing the national median of $61,770 by 24.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Kentucky is $46,600 a year, trailing the national median of $61,770 by 24.6%. Half of workers earn between $38,130 and $58,080. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $38,130 and the ninetieth at $70,050.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.32 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 37 states with published data for this occupation, Kentucky ranks 34th by median wage. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 477th of 699 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,130 | −38.3% |
| 25th | $38,130 | −38.3% |
| Median (50th) | $46,600 | −24.6% |
| 75th | $58,080 | −6.0% |
| 90th | $70,050 | +13.4% |
| Mean | $52,130 | −15.6% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $46,600 goes as far as $51,663 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 16.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,600as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$51,663US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,600 a year, 24.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,130 to $70,050 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 34th of 37 states for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers in Kentucky?
The median annual wage is $46,600, or $22.40 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 $61,770, so pay in Kentucky is 24.6% 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 Kentucky earns more than $70,050 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,130 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.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 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.
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