Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn a median $50,270 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders do
Set up, operate, or tend paper goods machines that perform a variety of functions, such as converting, sawing, corrugating, banding, wrapping, boxing, stitching, forming, or sealing paper or paperboard sheets into products.
- 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
- -3.6% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 9,000
Employment of paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders is projected to shrink 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 9,000 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.
Paper Goods 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$3,852
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,117
- Medicare (1.45%)$729
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$42,572
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,300 | $17.93 | $32,151 |
| 25th percentile | $44,920 | $21.60 | $38,273 |
| Median (50th) | $50,270 | $24.17 | $42,572 |
| 75th percentile | $60,180 | $28.93 | $50,535 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,320 | $33.81 | $58,300 |
Best cities for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $59,020 | $46,826 | $45,201 | 4,320 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $46,410 | $37,561 | $33,369 | 2,940 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Chicago, IL — $59,020
- New York, NY — $46,410
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $63,640 | +3.1% | $50,996 | $39,480 – $79,410 | 1,390 |
| Maine | $61,780 | +20.1% | $48,832 | $47,310 – $83,340 | 740 |
| Utah | $60,790 | +2.9% | $49,255 | $45,880 – $73,270 | 1,350 |
| Washington | $59,410 | +5.6% | $49,916 | $44,640 – $74,410 | 2,170 |
| Louisiana | $58,230 | −7.1% | $47,607 | $44,480 – $79,730 | 1,150 |
| Minnesota | $58,150 | +4.2% | $46,473 | $40,250 – $74,310 | 1,960 |
| Kentucky | $58,050 | +8.2% | $46,909 | $46,450 – $76,610 | 2,670 |
| Wisconsin | $58,050 | +0.5% | $47,050 | $45,740 – $70,240 | 8,510 |
| Idaho | $57,950 | +2.9% | $46,780 | $50,930 – $89,760 | 480 |
| Oregon | $56,810 | −0.4% | $43,686 | $46,300 – $83,640 | 680 |
| Illinois | $56,400 | −0.8% | $44,850 | $39,830 – $62,810 | 5,360 |
| New Mexico | $53,930 | +16.4% | $44,144 | $34,080 – $72,340 | 100 |
| New York | $52,800 | +1.8% | $42,351 | $35,830 – $68,510 | 3,280 |
| Alabama | $52,290 | +5.9% | $41,846 | $36,670 – $79,660 | 3,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,780 | +2.0% | $42,196 | $37,910 – $70,000 | 7,410 |
| Michigan | $50,540 | +4.2% | $40,892 | $38,950 – $66,750 | 3,000 |
| New Hampshire | $50,200 | +3.2% | $42,516 | $39,630 – $68,890 | 230 |
| Georgia | $50,160 | +3.8% | $40,503 | $35,140 – $75,900 | 5,650 |
| South Carolina | $50,040 | −3.2% | $40,542 | $37,560 – $79,320 | 2,460 |
| Virginia | $49,900 | +1.6% | $40,220 | $36,950 – $78,210 | 2,370 |
| Arizona | $49,160 | +3.2% | $40,660 | $37,300 – $58,270 | 1,190 |
| Colorado | $48,940 | −2.8% | $40,058 | $39,090 – $66,860 | 240 |
| Florida | $48,910 | +4.5% | $41,479 | $37,390 – $74,990 | 1,360 |
| Massachusetts | $48,840 | +0.6% | $39,201 | $38,600 – $65,220 | 1,920 |
| Indiana | $48,780 | +2.5% | $39,965 | $36,070 – $60,800 | 2,580 |
| California | $48,730 | −2.6% | $39,728 | $37,450 – $65,210 | 5,570 |
| Rhode Island | $48,710 | +3.2% | $40,109 | $35,590 – $51,890 | 240 |
| Arkansas | $48,630 | +6.8% | $39,570 | $35,870 – $61,770 | 2,060 |
| Connecticut | $48,530 | −5.8% | $39,915 | $38,500 – $72,900 | 650 |
| Delaware | $48,110 | +1.6% | $38,843 | $35,480 – $62,130 | 160 |
| Nebraska | $47,980 | +2.3% | $39,428 | $37,070 – $55,600 | 300 |
| North Carolina | $47,940 | +0.7% | $39,296 | $35,480 – $63,410 | 4,800 |
| Texas | $47,830 | +7.3% | $40,611 | $36,490 – $66,200 | 3,740 |
| Maryland | $47,780 | +37.5% | $38,665 | $34,980 – $60,090 | 480 |
| Nevada | $47,780 | −1.1% | $40,571 | $39,690 – $63,350 | 380 |
| Missouri | $47,560 | +2.9% | $39,096 | $37,370 – $59,400 | 1,540 |
| Ohio | $47,450 | −2.6% | $39,784 | $38,570 – $60,680 | 4,640 |
| Mississippi | $47,380 | +1.9% | $39,087 | $33,800 – $80,770 | 960 |
| Tennessee | $46,920 | −2.4% | $39,880 | $31,550 – $60,170 | 3,490 |
| South Dakota | $46,910 | +5.8% | $39,872 | $36,270 – $57,310 | 130 |
| Iowa | $46,110 | −5.8% | $38,129 | $37,420 – $83,480 | 1,010 |
| New Jersey | $45,950 | −0.5% | $38,110 | $35,330 – $62,920 | 3,210 |
| Kansas | $45,840 | −0.6% | $37,254 | $35,920 – $55,360 | 420 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adhesive Bonding Machine Operator and Tender | $46,460 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.3% |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $46,170 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.8% |
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | $43,530 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Etcher and Engraver | $43,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Tire Builder | $57,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operator and Tender | $41,330 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.9% |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,110 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Helpers--Production Worker | $39,070 | High school diploma or equivalent | -8.2% |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 | High school diploma or equivalent | -9.4% |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $49,610 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders make?
The national median salary for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders is $50,270 a year ($24.17 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,300 and the top 10% earn over $70,320. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders the most?
Oklahoma has the highest median pay at $63,640. After taxes and local prices, Chicago, IL offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders are there in the U.S.?
About 96,130 people work as paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders nationwide.