Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tender Salary in 2026
How Much Do Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders Make?
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders earn a median annual salary of $40,900 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $31,890 at the 10th percentile to $58,910 at the 90th percentile — a range of $27,020. The highest-paying state is Wyoming at $48,530.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,890 |
| 25th percentile | $36,250 |
| Median (50th) | $40,900 |
| 75th percentile | $48,440 |
| 90th percentile | $58,910 |
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tender Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyomingtop | $48,530 |
| Maine | $47,680 |
| West Virginia | $47,410 |
| Missouri | $47,010 |
| Idaho | $46,470 |
| New Hampshire | $46,310 |
| Virginia | $46,230 |
| Tennessee | $45,530 |
| North Dakota | $45,390 |
| Nebraska | $44,760 |
| Colorado | $44,320 |
| Wisconsin | $44,170 |
| Iowa | $43,900 |
| Vermont | $43,680 |
| California | $43,670 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,470 |
| Minnesota | $43,230 |
| Kentucky | $43,190 |
| Kansas | $43,030 |
| Indiana | $42,820 |
| Oregon | $42,640 |
| Maryland | $42,210 |
| New Jersey | $42,190 |
| Montana | $41,200 |
| South Dakota | $41,080 |
| Illinois | $40,920 |
| Georgia | $40,900 |
| Ohio | $40,800 |
| North Carolina | $40,640 |
| Washington | $40,580 |
| Utah | $40,430 |
| New York | $39,910 |
| Arizona | $39,720 |
| Rhode Island | $39,300 |
| Massachusetts | $38,690 |
| Connecticut | $38,150 |
| Michigan | $38,090 |
| Alaska | $37,880 |
| South Carolina | $37,870 |
| Oklahoma | $37,690 |
| Arkansas | $37,660 |
| Nevada | $37,440 |
| Texas | $37,200 |
| Mississippi | $37,060 |
| Delaware | $36,570 |
| Florida | $36,560 |
| New Mexico | $35,970 |
| Alabama | $35,760 |
| Hawaii | $31,620 |
| Louisiana | $30,670 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
Packaging and Filling 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) | ~$31,890 – $36,250 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$40,900 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$48,440 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $58,910+ |
How to Earn More as a Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tender
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Manchester-Nashua, NH earn $79,300 — $38,400 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 ($48,440) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tender Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenderthis career | $40,900 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $60,500 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Operator | $46,980 |
| Rolling Machine Operator | $48,630 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Operator | $45,190 |
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SOC: 51-9111.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.