Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders Salary
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders earn a median $44,810 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders do
Operate or tend food or tobacco roasting, baking, or drying equipment, including hearth ovens, kiln driers, roasters, char kilns, and vacuum drying equipment.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.4% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 2,500
- Self-employed
- 8%
Employment of food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders is projected to grow 0.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,500 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.
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,197
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,778
- Medicare (1.45%)$650
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$38,185
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,250 | $15.99 | $28,896 |
| 25th percentile | $37,540 | $18.05 | $32,343 |
| Median (50th) | $44,810 | $21.54 | $38,185 |
| 75th percentile | $50,680 | $24.37 | $42,901 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,680 | $30.13 | $52,543 |
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $77,300 | +48.4% | $62,962 | $47,090 – $77,320 | 30 |
| Maryland | $60,170 | +11.5% | $48,032 | $39,340 – $78,750 | 200 |
| Colorado | $59,590 | −0.7% | $48,147 | $38,640 – $74,420 | 500 |
| Virginia | $59,260 | +35.6% | $47,202 | $34,790 – $84,520 | 270 |
| Alaska | $55,280 | — | $46,597 | $40,970 – $57,200 | 30 |
| Nevada | $54,950 | +16.8% | $46,332 | $44,910 – $65,260 | 130 |
| Washington | $50,590 | +14.6% | $42,829 | $37,500 – $73,290 | 720 |
| Minnesota | $50,340 | +5.2% | $40,728 | $41,750 – $71,010 | 1,120 |
| Maine | $50,220 | +3.4% | $40,324 | $40,130 – $62,680 | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,660 | +48.1% | $40,557 | $33,500 – $61,290 | 540 |
| New York | $49,020 | +35.5% | $39,517 | $35,690 – $61,150 | 1,370 |
| Wisconsin | $48,560 | −1.2% | $39,842 | $38,120 – $60,740 | 540 |
| Kentucky | $48,540 | +13.0% | $39,601 | $27,690 – $64,470 | 340 |
| Idaho | $48,250 | +20.5% | $39,500 | $37,910 – $55,860 | 430 |
| Michigan | $48,240 | +10.2% | $39,141 | $35,870 – $62,170 | 700 |
| Iowa | $47,960 | +5.2% | $39,545 | $36,480 – $63,340 | 660 |
| Utah | $47,940 | +18.4% | $39,508 | $37,550 – $52,060 | 130 |
| Oregon | $46,250 | +4.4% | $36,125 | $35,900 – $65,010 | 500 |
| California | $45,600 | +1.0% | $37,413 | $35,820 – $62,020 | 1,630 |
| Massachusetts | $45,400 | −3.7% | $36,609 | $41,360 – $54,390 | 190 |
| Hawaii | $45,390 | +7.9% | $36,699 | $38,740 – $48,760 | 90 |
| Arkansas | $45,080 | +14.3% | $36,856 | $37,270 – $49,960 | 580 |
| South Dakota | $45,040 | +3.2% | $38,370 | $37,040 – $60,220 | 120 |
| Kansas | $44,550 | +4.9% | $36,290 | $37,080 – $47,130 | 220 |
| Ohio | $44,190 | +3.2% | $37,254 | $33,280 – $47,090 | 910 |
| Missouri | $43,460 | −3.7% | $35,995 | $33,380 – $53,910 | 1,030 |
| Nebraska | $43,410 | +4.8% | $35,964 | $37,770 – $58,330 | 440 |
| Indiana | $43,370 | −4.8% | $35,778 | $36,080 – $61,090 | 260 |
| Arizona | $43,010 | +9.2% | $35,872 | $35,270 – $58,630 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $42,390 | +16.2% | $34,878 | $30,150 – $46,540 | 370 |
| Connecticut | $41,720 | −1.7% | $34,750 | $34,010 – $48,250 | 60 |
| Vermont | $40,990 | +3.3% | $34,176 | $40,260 – $54,070 | 80 |
| South Carolina | $40,000 | −8.4% | $33,077 | $33,810 – $50,220 | 140 |
| Tennessee | $39,130 | −13.2% | $33,621 | $31,510 – $55,090 | 350 |
| Louisiana | $38,440 | +4.7% | $32,300 | $26,920 – $47,530 | 80 |
| Illinois | $38,230 | −7.5% | $31,150 | $36,300 – $56,710 | 440 |
| Georgia | $37,390 | +5.3% | $30,905 | $30,860 – $55,960 | 290 |
| New Jersey | $37,140 | −0.5% | $31,440 | $34,880 – $45,560 | 630 |
| Texas | $37,140 | +0.2% | $32,022 | $26,840 – $49,360 | 1,800 |
| Mississippi | $37,030 | — | $31,184 | $33,230 – $43,490 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $35,980 | −30.6% | $30,163 | $27,230 – $77,980 | 1,510 |
| New Mexico | $35,480 | +1.4% | $30,130 | $31,680 – $44,960 | 70 |
| Montana | $35,360 | −25.3% | $29,687 | $31,960 – $49,260 | 130 |
| Florida | $35,340 | −3.2% | $30,576 | $27,510 – $48,120 | 360 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Batchmaker | $42,290 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.5% |
| Food Cooking Machine Operator and Tender | $41,590 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.3% |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $39,680 | No formal educational credential | +5.5% |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 | No formal educational credential | +2.4% |
| Slaughterer and Meat Packer | $40,130 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $38,300 | No formal educational credential | +5.7% |
| Baker | $37,160 | No formal educational credential | +5.5% |
| Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator | $44,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.1% |
| Furniture Finisher | $44,540 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.5% |
| Woodworkers, All Other | $44,530 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders make?
The national median salary for food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders is $44,810 a year ($21.54 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,250 and the top 10% earn over $62,680. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders the most?
North Dakota has the highest median pay at $77,300.
How many food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders are there in the U.S.?
About 20,370 people work as food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders nationwide.