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Updated · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender Salary

Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders earn a median $43,220 a year nationally. Production Occupations

U.S. median
$43,220
$20.78 per hour
Range
$33,390 – $60,030
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
379,060
across the U.S.
▲5.7%
Pay trend: The median for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the U.S. rose from $40,900 (May 2024) to $43,220 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 3.3%.

What packaging and filling machine operators and tenders do

Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment.

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
+4.1% (about average)
Openings per year
41,400

Employment of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders is projected to grow 4.1% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 41,400 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.

Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender take-home pay calculator

Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.

Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender
Deductions, kids & local tax

2026 tax year. Federal brackets from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

Your take-home pay
$36,907
per year · effective tax rate 14.6%
$3,076Monthly
$1,538Twice a month
$1,420Every 2 weeks
$17.74Hourly
  • Federal income tax$3,006
  • Social Security (6.2%)$2,680
  • Medicare (1.45%)$627
  • Texas income tax$0
  • Take-home pay$36,907

Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state

Pay by experience

PercentileSalaryHourlyTake-home (no state tax)
10th percentile (entry level)$33,390$16.05$29,009
25th percentile$36,850$17.72$31,789
Median (50th)$43,220$20.78$36,907
75th percentile$49,070$23.59$41,608
90th percentile (top earners)$60,030$28.86$50,414

Best cities for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders (after tax & cost of living)

#Metro areaMedianTake-homeReal value*Jobs
1Louisville, KY$48,590$39,639$42,5892,410
2Kansas City, MO$47,530$39,074$42,2223,500
3St. Louis, MO$47,460$39,021$41,0374,910
4Cincinnati, OH$45,570$38,325$40,1854,770
5Columbus, OH$45,600$38,348$40,1682,930
6Indianapolis, IN$45,290$37,264$38,9403,470
7Charlotte, NC$44,330$36,539$37,5352,920
8Grand Rapids, MI$41,890$34,309$35,9083,980
9Philadelphia, PA$44,340$36,446$35,5385,770
10Minneapolis, MN$44,740$36,554$34,8723,700
11San Antonio, TX$38,210$32,882$34,7162,580
12Atlanta, GA$42,320$34,611$34,5904,720
13Phoenix, AZ$42,450$35,436$34,2996,100
14Riverside, CA$43,780$36,048$33,8664,080
15Dallas, TX$40,610$34,810$33,7678,240
16Chicago, IL$43,290$34,965$33,75221,830
17Portland, OR$45,440$35,545$33,7172,870
18Seattle, WA$43,370$37,028$33,3182,850
19Boston, MA$44,390$35,848$33,1113,360
20Houston, TX$37,770$32,528$32,9804,230
21San Francisco, CA$46,310$37,946$32,8223,510
22Tampa, FL$38,070$32,769$32,4802,520
23Detroit, MI$39,300$32,338$32,2422,700
24Los Angeles, CA$43,470$35,815$31,53713,990
25Fresno, CA$38,440$32,040$31,3632,360

*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).

Highest-paying cities

Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender salary by state

StateMedian1-yr changeTake-homeRangeJobs
New Hampshire $49,450+6.8%$41,913 $39,580 – $81,870620
Wyoming $48,890+0.7%$41,463 $32,210 – $64,130360
Missouri $48,070+2.3%$39,482 $36,180 – $61,31012,620
Maine $47,970+0.6%$38,668 $36,560 – $58,7501,490
North Dakota $47,390+4.4%$40,258 $38,710 – $58,620760
Idaho $46,720+0.5%$38,352 $35,250 – $60,3303,950
Vermont $46,670+6.8%$38,550 $36,700 – $57,330880
West Virginia $46,410−2.1%$38,109 $35,830 – $58,120810
Nebraska $46,220+3.3%$38,094 $35,450 – $59,5604,410
Wisconsin $46,220+4.6%$38,065 $35,760 – $57,49016,150
Colorado $46,010+3.8%$37,833 $35,270 – $73,9804,760
Iowa $45,660+4.0%$37,785 $37,040 – $63,2306,990
Kentucky $45,450+5.2%$37,226 $35,250 – $61,2508,640
Oregon $45,180+6.0%$35,359 $35,730 – $59,7405,370
Virginia $44,950−2.8%$36,527 $31,880 – $63,4206,150
Kansas $44,890+4.3%$36,544 $31,150 – $57,7407,920
Indiana $44,600+4.2%$36,730 $33,330 – $59,07012,880
Pennsylvania $44,480+2.3%$36,554 $31,780 – $62,05019,340
Montana $44,350+7.6%$36,487 $29,760 – $60,220380
California $44,020+0.8%$36,228 $35,750 – $61,78043,430
South Dakota $43,860+6.8%$37,422 $33,440 – $47,8501,000
Utah $43,780+8.3%$36,353 $35,040 – $60,0306,350
Maryland $43,670+3.5%$35,558 $35,270 – $69,6203,030
Ohio $43,310+6.2%$36,571 $33,780 – $61,18017,850
Tennessee $43,190−5.1%$36,883 $33,050 – $62,8107,400
Illinois $43,150+5.4%$34,860 $34,880 – $60,05029,400
Georgia $42,920+4.9%$35,061 $30,020 – $62,15011,380
Washington $41,700+2.8%$35,686 $36,310 – $57,2508,450
Michigan $41,690+9.5%$34,157 $31,890 – $59,37010,940
North Carolina $41,150+1.3%$34,111 $31,140 – $59,22011,870
Minnesota $40,960−5.3%$33,719 $36,280 – $55,4207,340
Arizona $40,560+2.1%$33,965 $35,360 – $60,7707,090
Massachusetts $40,360+4.3%$32,811 $33,550 – $55,4705,020
New Jersey $40,280−4.5%$33,853 $32,230 – $59,8009,810
South Carolina $40,010+5.7%$33,085 $32,880 – $51,0804,890
Connecticut $39,460+3.4%$33,035 $35,060 – $61,1501,540
New York $39,330−1.5%$32,255 $34,200 – $59,54018,150
Oklahoma $39,310+4.3%$32,542 $31,180 – $48,7103,150
Texas $38,950+4.7%$33,476 $28,990 – $57,19022,970
Alaska $38,730+2.2%$33,300 $33,010 – $60,130260
Delaware $38,500+5.3%$31,655 $36,800 – $51,710680
Louisiana $38,370+25.1%$32,245 $25,370 – $55,6401,910
Rhode Island $38,330−2.5%$32,158 $32,770 – $79,2201,100
Alabama $37,820+5.8%$30,942 $28,210 – $54,7703,240
Arkansas $37,740+0.2%$31,245 $31,170 – $49,2704,630
Mississippi $37,720+1.8%$31,711 $27,320 – $46,9603,030
Nevada $37,440+0.0%$32,263 $27,290 – $57,5002,700
Florida $37,170+1.7%$32,046 $29,040 – $50,80014,010
Hawaii $36,810+16.4%$30,404 $30,200 – $46,060380
New Mexico $35,640−0.9%$30,252 $30,480 – $47,2801,550

Related jobs

JobMedian salaryEducationGrowth 2025–35
Etcher and Engraver$43,310High school diploma or equivalent-0.7%
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders$43,530High school diploma or equivalent+3.4%
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand$42,660No formal educational credential-19.2%
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers$41,600No formal educational credential+1.3%
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operator and Tender$41,330High school diploma or equivalent+5.9%
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$45,760High school diploma or equivalent+1.5%
Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator$40,610High school diploma or equivalent-5.6%
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic$46,170High school diploma or equivalent+5.8%
Production Workers, All Other$40,110High school diploma or equivalent+0.8%
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operator and Tender$46,460High school diploma or equivalent+1.3%

Frequently asked questions

How much does a packaging and filling machine operator and tender make?

The national median salary for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders is $43,220 a year ($20.78 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,390 and the top 10% earn over $60,030. Source: BLS, May 2025.

Which state pays packaging and filling machine operators and tenders the most?

New Hampshire has the highest median pay at $49,450. After taxes and local prices, Louisville, KY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.

How many packaging and filling machine operators and tenders are there in the U.S.?

About 379,060 people work as packaging and filling machine operators and tenders nationwide.

All 28 cities