Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tender Salary in 2026
How Much Do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Make?
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders earn a median annual salary of $40,550 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $30,540 at the 10th percentile to $54,170 at the 90th percentile — a range of $23,630. The highest-paying state is Nebraska at $50,020.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,540 |
| 25th percentile | $35,310 |
| Median (50th) | $40,550 |
| 75th percentile | $47,420 |
| 90th percentile | $54,170 |
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tender Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nebraskatop | $50,020 |
| Colorado | $49,830 |
| Michigan | $48,070 |
| Washington | $48,020 |
| Minnesota | $47,890 |
| New Mexico | $47,250 |
| Idaho | $46,470 |
| New York | $46,360 |
| Iowa | $45,910 |
| Kansas | $45,580 |
| Tennessee | $45,040 |
| California | $44,720 |
| Massachusetts | $43,090 |
| Illinois | $42,890 |
| Oregon | $42,430 |
| Connecticut | $42,390 |
| Indiana | $41,600 |
| Wisconsin | $40,360 |
| Kentucky | $39,770 |
| Ohio | $38,740 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,570 |
| Georgia | $38,260 |
| Maryland | $38,190 |
| South Dakota | $38,070 |
| Arkansas | $37,770 |
| Utah | $37,610 |
| Louisiana | $37,570 |
| North Carolina | $37,440 |
| South Carolina | $36,870 |
| Virginia | $36,860 |
| Maine | $36,710 |
| New Jersey | $36,100 |
| Missouri | $35,940 |
| New Hampshire | $35,250 |
| Arizona | $33,560 |
| Florida | $33,280 |
| Texas | $33,150 |
| Mississippi | $32,260 |
| Alabama | $26,200 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
Food Cooking 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) | ~$30,540 – $35,310 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$40,550 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$47,420 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $54,170+ |
How to Earn More as a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tender
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Modesto, CA earn $80,310 — $39,760 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 ($47,420) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tender Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenderthis career | $40,550 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,830 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Product | $35,430 |
| Baker | $36,650 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tender | $42,730 |
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SOC: 51-3093.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.