Paper Goods Machine Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Paper Goods Machine Operators Make?
Paper Goods Machine Operators earn a median annual salary of $49,390 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $36,610 at the 10th percentile to $68,640 at the 90th percentile — a range of $32,030. The highest-paying state is Louisiana at $62,690.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,610 |
| 25th percentile | $43,520 |
| Median (50th) | $49,390 |
| 75th percentile | $59,220 |
| 90th percentile | $68,640 |
Paper Goods Machine Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisianatop | $62,690 |
| Oklahoma | $61,750 |
| Utah | $59,100 |
| Wisconsin | $57,760 |
| Oregon | $57,010 |
| Illinois | $56,860 |
| Idaho | $56,300 |
| Washington | $56,240 |
| Minnesota | $55,790 |
| Kentucky | $53,650 |
| New York | $51,860 |
| South Carolina | $51,720 |
| Connecticut | $51,530 |
| Maine | $51,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,780 |
| Colorado | $50,340 |
| California | $50,030 |
| Alabama | $49,380 |
| Virginia | $49,110 |
| Iowa | $48,950 |
| Ohio | $48,730 |
| New Hampshire | $48,660 |
| Massachusetts | $48,530 |
| Michigan | $48,510 |
| Georgia | $48,330 |
| Nevada | $48,300 |
| Tennessee | $48,060 |
| Arizona | $47,620 |
| North Carolina | $47,600 |
| Indiana | $47,590 |
| Delaware | $47,350 |
| Rhode Island | $47,210 |
| Nebraska | $46,900 |
| Florida | $46,800 |
| Mississippi | $46,500 |
| New Mexico | $46,350 |
| Missouri | $46,240 |
| New Jersey | $46,200 |
| Kansas | $46,120 |
| Arkansas | $45,520 |
| Texas | $44,570 |
| South Dakota | $44,330 |
| Maryland | $34,760 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Paper Goods Machine Operators
Paper Goods Machine Operator 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) | ~$36,610 – $43,520 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$49,390 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$59,220 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $68,640+ |
How to Earn More as a Paper Goods Machine Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Paper Goods Machine Operators in Cedar Rapids, IA earn $80,910 — $31,520 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 ($59,220) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Paper Goods Machine Operator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Paper Goods Machine Operatorthis career | $49,390 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $63,760 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Operator | $46,980 |
| Rolling Machine Operator | $48,630 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operator | $45,590 |
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SOC: 51-9196.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.