Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tender Salary in 2026
How Much Do Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders Make?
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders earn a median annual salary of $42,730 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $32,390 at the 10th percentile to $60,070 at the 90th percentile — a range of $27,680. The highest-paying state is Colorado at $59,990.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,390 |
| 25th percentile | $36,610 |
| Median (50th) | $42,730 |
| 75th percentile | $48,680 |
| 90th percentile | $60,070 |
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tender Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Coloradotop | $59,990 |
| Maryland | $53,940 |
| North Dakota | $52,080 |
| North Carolina | $51,810 |
| Wisconsin | $49,160 |
| Maine | $48,590 |
| Minnesota | $47,850 |
| Montana | $47,320 |
| Massachusetts | $47,160 |
| Nevada | $47,030 |
| Iowa | $45,570 |
| Indiana | $45,550 |
| Missouri | $45,150 |
| California | $45,140 |
| Tennessee | $45,070 |
| Oregon | $44,300 |
| Washington | $44,150 |
| Michigan | $43,770 |
| Virginia | $43,690 |
| South Carolina | $43,650 |
| South Dakota | $43,630 |
| Rhode Island | $43,240 |
| Kentucky | $42,970 |
| Ohio | $42,810 |
| Kansas | $42,450 |
| Connecticut | $42,420 |
| Hawaii | $42,070 |
| Nebraska | $41,430 |
| Illinois | $41,310 |
| Utah | $40,500 |
| Idaho | $40,040 |
| Vermont | $39,670 |
| Arkansas | $39,430 |
| Arizona | $39,400 |
| New Jersey | $37,330 |
| Texas | $37,070 |
| Louisiana | $36,720 |
| Florida | $36,500 |
| Oklahoma | $36,490 |
| New York | $36,190 |
| Georgia | $35,510 |
| New Mexico | $35,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $33,530 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tender Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$32,390 – $36,610 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$42,730 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$48,680 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $60,070+ |
How to Earn More as a Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tender
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area earn $60,350 — $17,620 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($48,680) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tender Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenderthis career | $42,730 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Product | $35,430 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $42,580 |
| Baker | $36,650 |
| Food Batchmaker | $40,790 |
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SOC: 51-3091.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.