Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn a median $46,570 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders do
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.9% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 5,400
Employment of cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders is projected to shrink 0.9% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 5,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,408
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,887
- Medicare (1.45%)$675
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$39,599
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,930 | $17.27 | $31,050 |
| 25th percentile | $39,440 | $18.96 | $33,870 |
| Median (50th) | $46,570 | $22.39 | $39,599 |
| 75th percentile | $53,800 | $25.87 | $45,408 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,120 | $29.38 | $51,290 |
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $58,260 | +3.2% | $46,554 | $47,010 – $65,160 | 1,130 |
| Vermont | $52,220 | +19.4% | $42,823 | $42,670 – $74,770 | 100 |
| Colorado | $51,750 | +1.2% | $42,193 | $40,400 – $60,150 | 700 |
| Montana | $51,540 | +12.3% | $41,927 | $38,830 – $64,200 | 100 |
| Oregon | $51,180 | +4.7% | $39,655 | $45,880 – $63,140 | 990 |
| Missouri | $50,930 | +1.3% | $41,646 | $37,530 – $63,410 | 1,120 |
| Washington | $50,430 | +4.5% | $42,701 | $42,470 – $70,510 | 760 |
| New Hampshire | $50,290 | −3.8% | $42,588 | $39,520 – $65,280 | 90 |
| Illinois | $49,740 | −5.0% | $39,829 | $44,780 – $62,380 | 1,770 |
| New York | $49,680 | +6.0% | $40,012 | $38,190 – $63,930 | 1,870 |
| Iowa | $49,600 | −5.2% | $40,801 | $40,510 – $62,390 | 920 |
| Maine | $49,200 | +0.4% | $39,573 | $35,380 – $57,890 | 160 |
| New Jersey | $48,600 | +5.7% | $40,093 | $36,820 – $62,930 | 1,040 |
| Ohio | $48,400 | +6.9% | $40,521 | $36,550 – $59,320 | 3,000 |
| Nebraska | $48,300 | +3.2% | $39,671 | $38,690 – $60,540 | 530 |
| Kentucky | $48,180 | +4.3% | $39,324 | $37,820 – $59,810 | 900 |
| Wisconsin | $48,040 | −5.3% | $39,447 | $36,940 – $58,300 | 1,300 |
| North Dakota | $47,480 | +0.9% | $40,330 | $43,150 – $61,390 | 70 |
| South Carolina | $47,410 | +2.1% | $38,586 | $36,400 – $61,900 | 730 |
| Arkansas | $47,320 | +3.3% | $38,569 | $38,590 – $64,920 | 800 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,850 | −1.5% | $38,386 | $36,530 – $60,540 | 1,630 |
| Idaho | $46,840 | −0.9% | $38,442 | $42,810 – $55,700 | 160 |
| Arizona | $46,780 | +3.2% | $38,807 | $37,200 – $58,690 | 760 |
| Alaska | $46,240 | +17.5% | $39,334 | $24,770 – $63,650 | 30 |
| Indiana | $46,150 | +1.3% | $37,930 | $37,430 – $61,470 | 2,110 |
| California | $46,110 | +4.3% | $37,796 | $37,110 – $61,820 | 3,080 |
| Rhode Island | $45,950 | +14.2% | $37,995 | $31,970 – $55,700 | 210 |
| Utah | $45,510 | +1.5% | $37,665 | $35,330 – $59,810 | 740 |
| South Dakota | $44,980 | +3.2% | $38,321 | $39,720 – $53,800 | 460 |
| Maryland | $44,820 | +2.6% | $36,428 | $37,040 – $60,300 | 280 |
| Virginia | $44,790 | +1.6% | $36,407 | $35,980 – $54,820 | 840 |
| Kansas | $44,760 | −4.0% | $36,447 | $36,510 – $54,580 | 760 |
| Michigan | $44,620 | +0.7% | $36,387 | $37,210 – $59,160 | 730 |
| Connecticut | $44,530 | +6.2% | $36,881 | $36,830 – $57,140 | 450 |
| Georgia | $44,130 | +11.1% | $35,971 | $32,210 – $60,580 | 1,230 |
| Tennessee | $44,030 | +0.7% | $37,558 | $35,210 – $50,000 | 1,260 |
| Massachusetts | $43,790 | +5.3% | $35,396 | $35,360 – $58,430 | 1,280 |
| North Carolina | $43,770 | +1.5% | $36,111 | $34,470 – $59,830 | 3,100 |
| Nevada | $43,470 | −9.4% | $37,108 | $35,560 – $58,930 | 340 |
| Texas | $42,210 | +3.9% | $36,096 | $34,670 – $52,740 | 3,650 |
| Mississippi | $41,590 | −13.0% | $34,666 | $30,460 – $57,050 | 710 |
| Louisiana | $41,170 | +2.8% | $34,411 | $30,700 – $70,860 | 110 |
| Florida | $40,540 | −3.2% | $34,754 | $33,410 – $59,040 | 1,370 |
| Alabama | $39,740 | +6.1% | $32,389 | $31,710 – $60,350 | 590 |
| West Virginia | $37,920 | +1.3% | $31,619 | $33,790 – $51,100 | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $37,910 | +4.9% | $31,480 | $31,110 – $50,250 | 620 |
| New Mexico | $32,770 | +1.5% | $28,069 | $32,770 – $45,100 | 200 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders make?
The national median salary for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders is $46,570 a year ($22.39 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,930 and the top 10% earn over $61,120. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders the most?
Minnesota has the highest median pay at $58,260.
How many cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders are there in the U.S.?
About 44,980 people work as cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders nationwide.