51 Series · SOC 51-9111
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $43,220
- Median / year
- $60,030
- Top 10% earn
- +4.5%
- Growth '23–'33
- 379,060
- US workers
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders earn a median of $43,220 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $43,220, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $33,390 (10th percentile) to $60,030 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 379,060 US workers. New Hampshire pays the most ($49,450), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders earn a median of $43,220, putting them among the lower-paid US occupations and higher than 16% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Production, it ranks #76 of 105 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 4.5% by 2033.
- $43,220
- Median annual wage
- Top 84%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #76 of 105
- in Production
- 1.8×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: New Hampshire at $49,450. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders (SOC 51-9111) pays a national median of $43,220 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $33,390 at the 10th percentile to $60,030 at the 90th, with a mean of $44,590 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 379,060 Americans work in this occupation across 51 reporting states and 457 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +4.5% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as about average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 45,300 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 3.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3.2 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. New Hampshire pays the highest state median at $49,450, which is +14% above the national figure. The top metro is Fort Collins-Loveland, CO at $79,800 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
BLS OEWS May 2025 379,060 jobs Median $43,220/yr
Median Salary
$43,220
per year
Median Hourly
$20.78/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$44,590
average
Employment
379,060
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$43,220 Bottom 16% higher than 16% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 51-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 22 51-series occupations with growth data, Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders sits on the slower-growing side at +4.5% growth and $43,220 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+4.5%
About average
Annual Openings
45,300
per year (projected)
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent
On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings → B
Safe
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
3.5/100K
Injury Rate
3.2/100
Danger Index
14.6/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Operations Monitoring 3.3
Monitoring 3.1
Active Listening 3.0
Coordination 3.0
Operation and Control 3.0
Reading Comprehension 2.9
Critical Thinking 2.9
Social Perceptiveness 2.9
Equipment Maintenance 2.9
Quality Control Analysis 2.9
Knowledge Areas
Production and Processing 3.8
Mechanical 3.5
Public Safety and Security 3.2
Education and Training 3.2
English Language 3.2
Customer and Personal Service 3.1
Mathematics 3.1
Administration and Management 2.7
Personnel and Human Resources 2.6
Computers and Electronics 2.5
Key Tasks
- ▸ Attach identification labels to finished packaged items, or cut stencils and stencil information on containers, such as lot numbers or shipping destinations.
- ▸ Sort, grade, weigh, and inspect products, verifying and adjusting product weight or measurement to meet specifications.
- ▸ Stop or reset machines when malfunctions occur, clear machine jams, and report malfunctions to a supervisor.
- ▸ Observe machine operations to ensure quality and conformity of filled or packaged products to standards.
- ▸ Remove finished packaged items from machine and separate rejected items.
- ▸ Monitor the production line, watching for problems such as pile-ups, jams, or glue that isn't sticking properly.
- ▸ Inspect and remove defective products and packaging material.
- ▸ Start machine by engaging controls.
- ▸ Tend or operate machine that packages product.
- ▸ Clean, oil, and make minor adjustments or repairs to machinery and equipment, such as opening valves or setting guides.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$33,390
25th Percentile
$36,850
Median
$43,220
75th Percentile
$49,070
90th Percentile
$60,030
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
Lowest Paying States
View all 51 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $49,450 | +14% above national |
| 2 | Wyoming | $48,890 | +13% above national |
| 3 | Missouri | $48,070 | +11% above national |
| 4 | Maine | $47,970 | +11% above national |
| 5 | North Dakota | $47,390 | +10% above national |
| 6 | Idaho | $46,720 | +8% above national |
| 7 | Vermont | $46,670 | +8% above national |
| 8 | West Virginia | $46,410 | +7% above national |
| 9 | Nebraska | $46,220 | +7% above national |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $46,220 | +7% above national |
| 11 | Colorado | $46,010 | +6% above national |
| 12 | Iowa | $45,660 | +6% above national |
| 13 | Kentucky | $45,450 | +5% above national |
| 14 | Oregon | $45,180 | +5% above national |
| 15 | Virginia | $44,950 | +4% above national |
| 16 | Kansas | $44,890 | +4% above national |
| 17 | Indiana | $44,600 | +3% above national |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $44,480 | +3% above national |
| 19 | Montana | $44,350 | +3% above national |
| 20 | California | $44,020 | +2% above national |
| 21 | South Dakota | $43,860 | +1% above national |
| 22 | Utah | $43,780 | +1% above national |
| 23 | Maryland | $43,670 | +1% above national |
| 24 | Ohio | $43,310 | same as national |
| 25 | Tennessee | $43,190 | same as national |
| 26 | Illinois | $43,150 | same as national |
| 27 | Georgia | $42,920 | 1% below national |
| 28 | Washington | $41,700 | 4% below national |
| 29 | Michigan | $41,690 | 4% below national |
| 30 | North Carolina | $41,150 | 5% below national |
| 31 | Minnesota | $40,960 | 5% below national |
| 32 | Arizona | $40,560 | 6% below national |
| 33 | Massachusetts | $40,360 | 7% below national |
| 34 | New Jersey | $40,280 | 7% below national |
| 35 | South Carolina | $40,010 | 7% below national |
| 36 | Connecticut | $39,460 | 9% below national |
| 37 | New York | $39,330 | 9% below national |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $39,310 | 9% below national |
| 39 | Texas | $38,950 | 10% below national |
| 40 | Alaska | $38,730 | 10% below national |
| 41 | Delaware | $38,500 | 11% below national |
| 42 | Louisiana | $38,370 | 11% below national |
| 43 | Rhode Island | $38,330 | 11% below national |
| 44 | Alabama | $37,820 | 12% below national |
| 45 | Arkansas | $37,740 | 13% below national |
| 46 | Mississippi | $37,720 | 13% below national |
| 47 | Nevada | $37,440 | 13% below national |
| 48 | Florida | $37,170 | 14% below national |
| 49 | Hawaii | $36,810 | 15% below national |
| 50 | New Mexico | $35,640 | 18% below national |
| 51 | Puerto Rico | $27,970 | 35% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 457 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $79,800 | +85% above national |
| 2 | Salisbury, MD | $69,060 | +60% above national |
| 3 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $67,700 | +57% above national |
| 4 | Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | $64,930 | +50% above national |
| 5 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $61,680 | +43% above national |
| 6 | Owensboro, KY | $61,250 | +42% above national |
| 7 | Eau Claire, WI | $60,340 | +40% above national |
| 8 | Decatur, IL | $59,160 | +37% above national |
| 9 | South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $57,480 | +33% above national |
| 10 | Traverse City, MI | $54,020 | +25% above national |
| 11 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $53,540 | +24% above national |
| 12 | Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $52,630 | +22% above national |
| 13 | Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $52,550 | +22% above national |
| 14 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $51,980 | +20% above national |
| 15 | Twin Falls, ID | $51,430 | +19% above national |
| 16 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $51,100 | +18% above national |
| 17 | North Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $51,030 | +18% above national |
| 18 | Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $50,980 | +18% above national |
| 19 | Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area | $50,940 | +18% above national |
| 20 | St. Joseph, MO-KS | $50,930 | +18% above national |
| 21 | Napa, CA | $50,850 | +18% above national |
| 22 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $50,260 | +16% above national |
| 23 | Johnstown, PA | $50,070 | +16% above national |
| 24 | Carson City, NV | $49,920 | +16% above national |
| 25 | Battle Creek, MI | $49,910 | +15% above national |
| 26 | Greensboro-High Point, NC | $49,880 | +15% above national |
| 27 | Lancaster, PA | $49,680 | +15% above national |
| 28 | Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $49,680 | +15% above national |
| 29 | Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $49,590 | +15% above national |
| 30 | Greeley, CO | $49,560 | +15% above national |
| 31 | North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $49,470 | +14% above national |
| 32 | Modesto, CA | $49,460 | +14% above national |
| 33 | East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $49,410 | +14% above national |
| 34 | Springfield, MO | $49,250 | +14% above national |
| 35 | Grand Forks, ND-MN | $49,120 | +14% above national |
| 36 | Savannah, GA | $49,090 | +14% above national |
| 37 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $48,800 | +13% above national |
| 38 | Charlottesville, VA | $48,680 | +13% above national |
| 39 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $48,590 | +12% above national |
| 40 | Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $48,580 | +12% above national |
| 41 | Bend, OR | $48,510 | +12% above national |
| 42 | Grand Island, NE | $48,510 | +12% above national |
| 43 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $48,480 | +12% above national |
| 44 | Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $48,440 | +12% above national |
| 45 | East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $48,390 | +12% above national |
| 46 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $48,360 | +12% above national |
| 47 | Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area | $48,350 | +12% above national |
| 48 | Chambersburg, PA | $48,260 | +12% above national |
| 49 | Ames, IA | $48,250 | +12% above national |
| 50 | Bozeman, MT | $48,250 | +12% above national |
| 51 | Williamsport, PA | $48,200 | +12% above national |
| 52 | Columbia, MO | $48,070 | +11% above national |
| 53 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $47,980 | +11% above national |
| 54 | Pittsfield, MA | $47,970 | +11% above national |
| 55 | Toledo, OH | $47,970 | +11% above national |
| 56 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $47,950 | +11% above national |
| 57 | Dubuque, IA | $47,640 | +10% above national |
| 58 | Duluth, MN-WI | $47,610 | +10% above national |
| 59 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $47,530 | +10% above national |
| 60 | Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area | $47,510 | +10% above national |
| 61 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $47,460 | +10% above national |
| 62 | Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $47,430 | +10% above national |
| 63 | Madison, WI | $47,430 | +10% above national |
| 64 | Mankato, MN | $47,360 | +10% above national |
| 65 | Bay City, MI | $47,350 | +10% above national |
| 66 | Rome, GA | $47,260 | +9% above national |
| 67 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $47,190 | +9% above national |
| 68 | York-Hanover, PA | $47,160 | +9% above national |
| 69 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $47,140 | +9% above national |
| 70 | Sheboygan, WI | $47,120 | +9% above national |
| 71 | Joplin, MO-KS | $47,040 | +9% above national |
| 72 | West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $47,020 | +9% above national |
| 73 | Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $47,000 | +9% above national |
| 74 | Fargo, ND-MN | $46,990 | +9% above national |
| 75 | North Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $46,990 | +9% above national |
| 76 | Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | $46,970 | +9% above national |
| 77 | Greenville, NC | $46,890 | +8% above national |
| 78 | Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $46,880 | +8% above national |
| 79 | Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $46,850 | +8% above national |
| 80 | Lawrence, KS | $46,840 | +8% above national |
| 81 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $46,780 | +8% above national |
| 82 | Minot, ND | $46,720 | +8% above national |
| 83 | Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $46,680 | +8% above national |
| 84 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $46,550 | +8% above national |
| 85 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $46,490 | +8% above national |
| 86 | Pueblo, CO | $46,480 | +8% above national |
| 87 | Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $46,480 | +8% above national |
| 88 | Janesville-Beloit, WI | $46,450 | +7% above national |
| 89 | Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $46,420 | +7% above national |
| 90 | South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $46,340 | +7% above national |
| 91 | Bowling Green, KY | $46,330 | +7% above national |
| 92 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $46,310 | +7% above national |
| 93 | Vallejo, CA | $46,310 | +7% above national |
| 94 | Jefferson City, MO | $46,300 | +7% above national |
| 95 | West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $46,290 | +7% above national |
| 96 | Green Bay, WI | $46,220 | +7% above national |
| 97 | Wichita Falls, TX | $46,160 | +7% above national |
| 98 | Harrisonburg, VA | $46,150 | +7% above national |
| 99 | Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $46,080 | +7% above national |
| 100 | Mobile, AL | $46,070 | +7% above national |
| 101 | Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | $46,070 | +7% above national |
| 102 | East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | $46,050 | +7% above national |
| 103 | Wausau, WI | $46,030 | +7% above national |
| 104 | Gettysburg, PA | $46,020 | +6% above national |
| 105 | Charleston, WV | $46,010 | +6% above national |
| 106 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $45,980 | +6% above national |
| 107 | Boise City, ID | $45,930 | +6% above national |
| 108 | Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $45,900 | +6% above national |
| 109 | Kenosha, WI | $45,900 | +6% above national |
| 110 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $45,890 | +6% above national |
| 111 | Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $45,750 | +6% above national |
| 112 | West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $45,750 | +6% above national |
| 113 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $45,740 | +6% above national |
| 114 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $45,730 | +6% above national |
| 115 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $45,680 | +6% above national |
| 116 | State College, PA | $45,670 | +6% above national |
| 117 | Appleton, WI | $45,660 | +6% above national |
| 118 | Columbus, OH | $45,600 | +6% above national |
| 119 | Elmira, NY | $45,590 | +5% above national |
| 120 | Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $45,590 | +5% above national |
| 121 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $45,570 | +5% above national |
| 122 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | $45,510 | +5% above national |
| 123 | Stockton-Lodi, CA | $45,500 | +5% above national |
| 124 | Kankakee, IL | $45,480 | +5% above national |
| 125 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $45,460 | +5% above national |
| 126 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $45,440 | +5% above national |
| 127 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $45,380 | +5% above national |
| 128 | Logan, UT-ID | $45,360 | +5% above national |
| 129 | Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $45,350 | +5% above national |
| 130 | Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $45,330 | +5% above national |
| 131 | Topeka, KS | $45,300 | +5% above national |
| 132 | Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $45,300 | +5% above national |
| 133 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $45,290 | +5% above national |
| 134 | Merced, CA | $45,280 | +5% above national |
| 135 | Wichita, KS | $45,280 | +5% above national |
| 136 | Monroe, LA | $45,220 | +5% above national |
| 137 | Lynchburg, VA | $45,190 | +5% above national |
| 138 | High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area | $45,170 | +5% above national |
| 139 | Chico, CA | $45,130 | +4% above national |
| 140 | Evansville, IN | $45,100 | +4% above national |
| 141 | Clarksville, TN-KY | $45,080 | +4% above national |
| 142 | Eugene-Springfield, OR | $45,050 | +4% above national |
| 143 | South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $45,020 | +4% above national |
| 144 | Monroe, MI | $44,990 | +4% above national |
| 145 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $44,970 | +4% above national |
| 146 | Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $44,950 | +4% above national |
| 147 | Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $44,930 | +4% above national |
| 148 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $44,920 | +4% above national |
| 149 | Lincoln, NE | $44,900 | +4% above national |
| 150 | Kansas nonmetropolitan area | $44,890 | +4% above national |
| 151 | Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $44,870 | +4% above national |
| 152 | Fond du Lac, WI | $44,850 | +4% above national |
| 153 | Ogden, UT | $44,800 | +4% above national |
| 154 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $44,740 | +4% above national |
| 155 | Salinas, CA | $44,660 | +3% above national |
| 156 | Columbus, IN | $44,620 | +3% above national |
| 157 | Rocky Mount, NC | $44,550 | +3% above national |
| 158 | Barnstable Town, MA | $44,490 | +3% above national |
| 159 | South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $44,410 | +3% above national |
| 160 | Northeast Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $44,410 | +3% above national |
| 161 | Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $44,400 | +3% above national |
| 162 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $44,390 | +3% above national |
| 163 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $44,350 | +3% above national |
| 164 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $44,340 | +3% above national |
| 165 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $44,330 | +3% above national |
| 166 | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $44,280 | +2% above national |
| 167 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $44,220 | +2% above national |
| 168 | Idaho Falls, ID | $44,210 | +2% above national |
| 169 | Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $44,190 | +2% above national |
| 170 | Richmond, VA | $44,180 | +2% above national |
| 171 | Omaha, NE-IA | $44,140 | +2% above national |
| 172 | Syracuse, NY | $44,080 | +2% above national |
| 173 | Springfield, MA | $44,070 | +2% above national |
| 174 | Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $44,060 | +2% above national |
| 175 | Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $44,040 | +2% above national |
| 176 | Reading, PA | $44,010 | +2% above national |
| 177 | Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $44,000 | +2% above national |
| 178 | Fort Wayne, IN | $43,990 | +2% above national |
| 179 | Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $43,890 | +2% above national |
| 180 | East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $43,860 | +1% above national |
| 181 | Binghamton, NY | $43,850 | +1% above national |
| 182 | Walla Walla, WA | $43,850 | +1% above national |
| 183 | Saginaw, MI | $43,800 | +1% above national |
| 184 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $43,780 | +1% above national |
| 185 | Rochester, NY | $43,780 | +1% above national |
| 186 | Lewiston, ID-WA | $43,750 | +1% above national |
| 187 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $43,710 | +1% above national |
| 188 | Sherman-Denison, TX | $43,710 | +1% above national |
| 189 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $43,700 | +1% above national |
| 190 | Yakima, WA | $43,690 | +1% above national |
| 191 | Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $43,680 | +1% above national |
| 192 | Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $43,660 | +1% above national |
| 193 | Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $43,650 | +1% above national |
| 194 | South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $43,640 | +1% above national |
| 195 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $43,610 | +1% above national |
| 196 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $43,520 | +1% above national |
| 197 | Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $43,520 | +1% above national |
| 198 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $43,470 | +1% above national |
| 199 | West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $43,410 | same as national |
| 200 | Grants Pass, OR | $43,370 | same as national |
| 201 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $43,370 | same as national |
| 202 | Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $43,370 | same as national |
| 203 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $43,310 | same as national |
| 204 | Terre Haute, IN | $43,310 | same as national |
| 205 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $43,290 | same as national |
| 206 | Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $43,220 | same as national |
| 207 | Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $43,140 | same as national |
| 208 | Medford, OR | $43,130 | same as national |
| 209 | Amarillo, TX | $43,110 | same as national |
| 210 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $43,040 | same as national |
| 211 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $42,930 | 1% below national |
| 212 | Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area | $42,910 | 1% below national |
| 213 | Baton Rouge, LA | $42,880 | 1% below national |
| 214 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $42,850 | 1% below national |
| 215 | Bloomington, IN | $42,790 | 1% below national |
| 216 | Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area | $42,690 | 1% below national |
| 217 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $42,570 | 2% below national |
| 218 | Billings, MT | $42,540 | 2% below national |
| 219 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $42,450 | 2% below national |
| 220 | Albany, OR | $42,330 | 2% below national |
| 221 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $42,320 | 2% below national |
| 222 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $42,320 | 2% below national |
| 223 | North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) | $42,280 | 2% below national |
| 224 | Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $42,250 | 2% below national |
| 225 | Florence, SC | $42,140 | 2% below national |
| 226 | Visalia, CA | $42,130 | 3% below national |
| 227 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $42,110 | 3% below national |
| 228 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $42,070 | 3% below national |
| 229 | Asheville, NC | $42,060 | 3% below national |
| 230 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $42,050 | 3% below national |
| 231 | Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $42,020 | 3% below national |
| 232 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $41,900 | 3% below national |
| 233 | Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $41,900 | 3% below national |
| 234 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $41,890 | 3% below national |
| 235 | Northwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $41,840 | 3% below national |
| 236 | Boulder, CO | $41,820 | 3% below national |
| 237 | Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $41,720 | 3% below national |
| 238 | Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $41,700 | 4% below national |
| 239 | Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $41,660 | 4% below national |
| 240 | Sandusky, OH | $41,600 | 4% below national |
| 241 | Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $41,600 | 4% below national |
| 242 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $41,490 | 4% below national |
| 243 | Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $41,440 | 4% below national |
| 244 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $41,350 | 4% below national |
| 245 | Columbia, SC | $41,340 | 4% below national |
| 246 | Bloomington, IL | $41,330 | 4% below national |
| 247 | Jonesboro, AR | $41,320 | 4% below national |
| 248 | Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $41,190 | 5% below national |
| 249 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $41,150 | 5% below national |
| 250 | Winston-Salem, NC | $41,100 | 5% below national |
| 251 | Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $41,090 | 5% below national |
| 252 | Rockford, IL | $40,990 | 5% below national |
| 253 | Coeur d'Alene, ID | $40,950 | 5% below national |
| 254 | Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $40,950 | 5% below national |
| 255 | Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $40,930 | 5% below national |
| 256 | Ann Arbor, MI | $40,840 | 6% below national |
| 257 | Cleveland, OH | $40,840 | 6% below national |
| 258 | Gainesville, GA | $40,820 | 6% below national |
| 259 | Pittsburgh, PA | $40,820 | 6% below national |
| 260 | Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $40,810 | 6% below national |
| 261 | Vineland, NJ | $40,800 | 6% below national |
| 262 | Tulsa, OK | $40,750 | 6% below national |
| 263 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $40,610 | 6% below national |
| 264 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $40,600 | 6% below national |
| 265 | Santa Fe, NM | $40,590 | 6% below national |
| 266 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $40,560 | 6% below national |
| 267 | West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $40,560 | 6% below national |
| 268 | North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $40,530 | 6% below national |
| 269 | Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $40,510 | 6% below national |
| 270 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $40,360 | 7% below national |
| 271 | Erie, PA | $40,330 | 7% below national |
| 272 | Birmingham, AL | $40,290 | 7% below national |
| 273 | Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $40,200 | 7% below national |
| 274 | Huntsville, AL | $40,190 | 7% below national |
| 275 | Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $40,150 | 7% below national |
| 276 | Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $40,070 | 7% below national |
| 277 | West Delta Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $40,060 | 7% below national |
| 278 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $40,030 | 7% below national |
| 279 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $40,000 | 7% below national |
| 280 | Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $39,900 | 8% below national |
| 281 | Jackson, TN | $39,890 | 8% below national |
| 282 | Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $39,890 | 8% below national |
| 283 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $39,790 | 8% below national |
| 284 | Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $39,790 | 8% below national |
| 285 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $39,770 | 8% below national |
| 286 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $39,770 | 8% below national |
| 287 | Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $39,750 | 8% below national |
| 288 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $39,680 | 8% below national |
| 289 | Akron, OH | $39,620 | 8% below national |
| 290 | St. Cloud, MN | $39,620 | 8% below national |
| 291 | West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $39,600 | 8% below national |
| 292 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $39,580 | 8% below national |
| 293 | Roanoke, VA | $39,530 | 9% below national |
| 294 | Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $39,340 | 9% below national |
| 295 | St. George, UT | $39,330 | 9% below national |
| 296 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $39,320 | 9% below national |
| 297 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $39,300 | 9% below national |
| 298 | Rochester, MN | $39,200 | 9% below national |
| 299 | Fayetteville, NC | $39,180 | 9% below national |
| 300 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $39,170 | 9% below national |
| 301 | Worcester, MA | $39,170 | 9% below national |
| 302 | Bellingham, WA | $39,090 | 10% below national |
| 303 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $39,070 | 10% below national |
| 304 | Winchester, VA-WV | $39,030 | 10% below national |
| 305 | Northeastern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $38,980 | 10% below national |
| 306 | Elizabethtown, KY | $38,950 | 10% below national |
| 307 | West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $38,900 | 10% below national |
| 308 | Wilmington, NC | $38,850 | 10% below national |
| 309 | Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | $38,820 | 10% below national |
| 310 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $38,810 | 10% below national |
| 311 | Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $38,800 | 10% below national |
| 312 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $38,790 | 10% below national |
| 313 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $38,780 | 10% below national |
| 314 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $38,750 | 10% below national |
| 315 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $38,730 | 10% below national |
| 316 | Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $38,700 | 10% below national |
| 317 | Northeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $38,630 | 11% below national |
| 318 | Oklahoma City, OK | $38,600 | 11% below national |
| 319 | Iowa City, IA | $38,550 | 11% below national |
| 320 | Utica-Rome, NY | $38,550 | 11% below national |
| 321 | Macon-Bibb County, GA | $38,520 | 11% below national |
| 322 | East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $38,520 | 11% below national |
| 323 | Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $38,510 | 11% below national |
| 324 | Reno, NV | $38,510 | 11% below national |
| 325 | Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area | $38,500 | 11% below national |
| 326 | Tallahassee, FL | $38,460 | 11% below national |
| 327 | Fresno, CA | $38,440 | 11% below national |
| 328 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $38,380 | 11% below national |
| 329 | North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $38,380 | 11% below national |
| 330 | Great Falls, MT | $38,360 | 11% below national |
| 331 | Kingston, NY | $38,330 | 11% below national |
| 332 | Spartanburg, SC | $38,330 | 11% below national |
| 333 | Morristown, TN | $38,310 | 11% below national |
| 334 | New Haven, CT | $38,300 | 11% below national |
| 335 | Central East New York nonmetropolitan area | $38,280 | 11% below national |
| 336 | Alexandria, LA | $38,260 | 11% below national |
| 337 | Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $38,250 | 11% below national |
| 338 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $38,240 | 12% below national |
| 339 | Yuba City, CA | $38,230 | 12% below national |
| 340 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $38,220 | 12% below national |
| 341 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $38,210 | 12% below national |
| 342 | Paducah, KY-IL | $38,180 | 12% below national |
| 343 | Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $38,180 | 12% below national |
| 344 | Gainesville, FL | $38,070 | 12% below national |
| 345 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $38,070 | 12% below national |
| 346 | Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $38,050 | 12% below national |
| 347 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $38,040 | 12% below national |
| 348 | Anchorage, AK | $38,020 | 12% below national |
| 349 | Colorado Springs, CO | $38,020 | 12% below national |
| 350 | Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $38,020 | 12% below national |
| 351 | Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $38,000 | 12% below national |
| 352 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $37,930 | 12% below national |
| 353 | Flint, MI | $37,920 | 12% below national |
| 354 | Mansfield, OH | $37,880 | 12% below national |
| 355 | Upper East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $37,850 | 12% below national |
| 356 | Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $37,850 | 12% below national |
| 357 | Altoona, PA | $37,800 | 13% below national |
| 358 | Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $37,790 | 13% below national |
| 359 | Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $37,780 | 13% below national |
| 360 | East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $37,780 | 13% below national |
| 361 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $37,770 | 13% below national |
| 362 | College Station-Bryan, TX | $37,730 | 13% below national |
| 363 | East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $37,700 | 13% below national |
| 364 | Niles, MI | $37,680 | 13% below national |
| 365 | Decatur, AL | $37,660 | 13% below national |
| 366 | Redding, CA | $37,560 | 13% below national |
| 367 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $37,550 | 13% below national |
| 368 | Salem, OR | $37,540 | 13% below national |
| 369 | Ithaca, NY | $37,520 | 13% below national |
| 370 | Yuma, AZ | $37,520 | 13% below national |
| 371 | Knoxville, TN | $37,490 | 13% below national |
| 372 | Jacksonville, FL | $37,470 | 13% below national |
| 373 | Lebanon, PA | $37,470 | 13% below national |
| 374 | Maryland nonmetropolitan area | $37,460 | 13% below national |
| 375 | Lima, OH | $37,430 | 13% below national |
| 376 | Tucson, AZ | $37,410 | 13% below national |
| 377 | Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $37,380 | 14% below national |
| 378 | Canton-Massillon, OH | $37,350 | 14% below national |
| 379 | Youngstown-Warren, OH | $37,320 | 14% below national |
| 380 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $37,290 | 14% below national |
| 381 | Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $37,280 | 14% below national |
| 382 | Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $37,240 | 14% below national |
| 383 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $37,190 | 14% below national |
| 384 | Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $37,110 | 14% below national |
| 385 | East Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $37,010 | 14% below national |
| 386 | Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $36,980 | 14% below national |
| 387 | Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $36,970 | 14% below national |
| 388 | Arizona nonmetropolitan area | $36,880 | 15% below national |
| 389 | Peoria, IL | $36,850 | 15% below national |
| 390 | South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $36,830 | 15% below national |
| 391 | Wasatch Front Fringe Utah nonmetropolitan area | $36,820 | 15% below national |
| 392 | Dover, DE | $36,800 | 15% below national |
| 393 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $36,770 | 15% below national |
| 394 | Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $36,670 | 15% below national |
| 395 | Gadsden, AL | $36,650 | 15% below national |
| 396 | North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $36,640 | 15% below national |
| 397 | Lubbock, TX | $36,580 | 15% below national |
| 398 | Valdosta, GA | $36,500 | 16% below national |
| 399 | Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $36,450 | 16% below national |
| 400 | Hammond, LA | $36,410 | 16% below national |
| 401 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $36,400 | 16% below national |
| 402 | Grand Junction, CO | $36,390 | 16% below national |
| 403 | Montgomery, AL | $36,320 | 16% below national |
| 404 | Springfield, OH | $36,310 | 16% below national |
| 405 | Dothan, AL | $36,260 | 16% below national |
| 406 | Lafayette, LA | $36,210 | 16% below national |
| 407 | Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $36,130 | 16% below national |
| 408 | Waco, TX | $36,070 | 17% below national |
| 409 | West Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $36,040 | 17% below national |
| 410 | Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $36,010 | 17% below national |
| 411 | Burlington, NC | $35,890 | 17% below national |
| 412 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $35,810 | 17% below national |
| 413 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $35,760 | 17% below national |
| 414 | Lower East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $35,600 | 18% below national |
| 415 | Lower West Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $35,540 | 18% below national |
| 416 | Albuquerque, NM | $35,480 | 18% below national |
| 417 | Johnson City, TN | $35,390 | 18% below national |
| 418 | Muncie, IN | $35,260 | 18% below national |
| 419 | El Paso, TX | $35,210 | 19% below national |
| 420 | Southern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $35,190 | 19% below national |
| 421 | Eastern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $35,190 | 19% below national |
| 422 | Jackson, MS | $35,180 | 19% below national |
| 423 | Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $35,100 | 19% below national |
| 424 | North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $35,060 | 19% below national |
| 425 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $35,020 | 19% below national |
| 426 | Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $35,010 | 19% below national |
| 427 | Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $34,950 | 19% below national |
| 428 | Las Cruces, NM | $34,920 | 19% below national |
| 429 | Texarkana, TX-AR | $34,880 | 19% below national |
| 430 | Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $34,860 | 19% below national |
| 431 | Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $34,850 | 19% below national |
| 432 | South Florida nonmetropolitan area | $34,840 | 19% below national |
| 433 | Ocala, FL | $34,790 | 20% below national |
| 434 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $34,730 | 20% below national |
| 435 | Dalton, GA | $34,590 | 20% below national |
| 436 | Glens Falls, NY | $34,430 | 20% below national |
| 437 | South Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $34,420 | 20% below national |
| 438 | North Florida nonmetropolitan area | $34,310 | 21% below national |
| 439 | Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $34,130 | 21% below national |
| 440 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $33,770 | 22% below national |
| 441 | Columbus, GA-AL | $33,680 | 22% below national |
| 442 | Longview, TX | $33,610 | 22% below national |
| 443 | San Angelo, TX | $33,410 | 23% below national |
| 444 | Tyler, TX | $33,000 | 24% below national |
| 445 | Cleveland, TN | $32,970 | 24% below national |
| 446 | Rapid City, SD | $32,950 | 24% below national |
| 447 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $31,130 | 28% below national |
| 448 | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $30,620 | 29% below national |
| 449 | Port St. Lucie, FL | $30,210 | 30% below national |
| 450 | Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $30,110 | 30% below national |
| 451 | Midland, TX | $28,530 | 34% below national |
| 452 | Laredo, TX | $27,960 | 35% below national |
| 453 | Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $27,620 | 36% below national |
| 454 | Arecibo, PR | $27,220 | 37% below national |
| 455 | Ponce, PR | $23,120 | 47% below national |
| 456 | Mayaguez, PR | $22,810 | 47% below national |
| 457 | Aguadilla, PR | $21,840 | 49% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 51 (production) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders make? ▼
The median annual salary for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders is $43,220 ($20.78/hour). The salary range spans from $33,390 at the 10th percentile to $60,030 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders the most? ▼
New Hampshire pays the highest median salary for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders at $49,450/year, which is +14% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders is High school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders? ▼
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders has a safety grade of B (Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 3.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 3.2 per 100 workers.
Is Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders a good career? ▼
Employment for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, which is about average. About 45,300 openings are projected each year.
How does Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders pay vary by state? ▼
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is New Hampshire at $49,450/year, while Nevada pays the least at $37,440/year. BLS data covers 51 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders is Fort Collins-Loveland, CO at $79,800/year. BLS reports wage data for 457 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.
What to do with this data
How to use Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $49,070/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: New Hampshire leads at $49,450/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.