Salaries › CNC Tool Operator › Kentucky
CNC Tool Operator Salary in Kentucky (2026)
$23.64 per hour · take-home ≈ $39,975/year ($3,331/month) for a single filer
Kentucky ranks 33rd of 48 states for CNC Tool Operator pay, with a median about 6% below the national average. Of the 1,740 CNC Tool Operator jobs BLS counts in Kentucky, the typical worker earns $49,180 a year — though pay ranges from $37,900 for newcomers to $64,260 at the top.
CNC Tool Operator pay range in Kentucky
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $37,900 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $42,800 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $49,180 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $59,500 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $64,260 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 1,740 CNC Tool Operator jobs in Kentucky (occupation code 51-9161, “Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators”).
Gross vs. take-home in Kentucky
A median CNC Tool Operator salary of $49,180 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Kentucky state income tax, a single filer keeps about $39,975 — an effective tax rate of 18.7%.
| Gross (median) | $49,180 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,722 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,762 |
| Kentucky state income tax | −$1,721 |
| Take-home (annual) | $39,975 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,331 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Kentucky paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNC Tool Operator make in Kentucky?
- The median CNC Tool Operator salary in Kentucky is $49,180 per year ($23.64 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $42,800 and $59,500.
- What is the take-home pay for a CNC Tool Operator in Kentucky?
- On the median salary of $49,180, a single filer in Kentucky takes home about $39,975 per year ($3,331 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.7%.
- How many CNC Tool Operator jobs are there in Kentucky?
- BLS counts 1,740 CNC Tool Operator jobs in Kentucky in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for CNC Tool Operators
Other salaries in Kentucky
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Kentucky state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Kentucky.