"How long does it take to become a cnc machinist in Kentucky?"

"Most paths into the cnc machinist field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"What apprenticeships are available for cnc machinists in Kentucky?"

"In Kentucky, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Kentucky Office of Apprenticeship and Training, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A CNC Machinist in Kentucky

Q: "How much do cnc machinists earn in Kentucky?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), cnc machinists in Kentucky earned a median annual wage of approximately $58,660. Employment concentration in Kentucky is about 1.64 times the national average for this occupation."

Q: "What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in Kentucky?"

"Kentucky currently employs approximately 6,040 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 0.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Kentucky machinists earn a median annual wage of $58,660 ($28.20/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 6,040 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -0.2% below the national median of $58,750 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $58,660 ($28.20/hr)
25th percentile: $48,560 per year
75th percentile: $71,530 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $78,020 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $39,070 per year
Workers employed in Kentucky: 6,040
Versus national median: -0.2% below the U.S. median of $58,750
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.64 - this occupation is more concentrated in Kentucky than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Kentucky employs approximately 6,040 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,660 ¹. The state’s concentration of cnc machinist jobs is 1.64x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 29,500 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a cnc machinist in Kentucky, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A CNC Machinist in Kentucky

How do I become a cnc machinist in Kentucky? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for cnc machinists in Kentucky.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do cnc machinists earn in Kentucky? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Kentucky is $58,660 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,070 and experienced professionals can earn $78,020 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Kentucky): $58,660 per year ¹

CNC Machinist Apprenticeship Information in Kentucky

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Kentucky’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Kentucky Office of Apprenticeship and Training ³.

Contact Information:

Office: Office of Employer and Apprenticeship Services
Address: 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-5920
Email: [email protected]

CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

Machinists Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), machinists wages in Kentucky vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Cincinnati	2,890	$57,300	$57,360	$39,120	$77,570
Louisville/Jefferson County	990	$60,500	$60,750	$40,780	$79,570
Huntington-Ashland	680	$46,290	$49,350	$37,300	$69,840
Clarksville	360	$57,820	$57,370	$38,080	$77,630
Bowling Green	260	$51,730	$55,260	$40,050	$66,180
Paducah	100	$60,300	$63,540	$38,250	$98,890
Owensboro	90	$47,170	$54,120	$38,410	$75,240
Elizabethtown	70	$57,480	$54,310	$38,020	$66,330

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Cnc machinists in Kentucky

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest cnc machinist employment within Kentucky according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Louisville/Jefferson County	990	$60,500
Bowling Green	260	$51,730
Paducah	100	$60,300
Owensboro	90	$47,170
Elizabethtown	70	$57,480

Explore cnc machinist programs in Bowling Green, Paducah, and Owensboro.

Explore More Trades in Kentucky

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for cnc machinists in Kentucky? Kentucky currently employs approximately 6,040 cnc machinists ¹. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Kentucky? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Kentucky. You can also contact the Kentucky Office of Apprenticeship and Training for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do cnc machinists earn in Kentucky compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Kentucky is $58,660, which is $2,510 above the national median of $56,150 according to BLS data ¹.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Kentucky Office of Apprenticeship and Training: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)