Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn a median $48,990 a year nationally. Production Occupations
U.S. median
$48,990
$23.55 per hour
Range
$36,790 – $70,200
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
94,920
across the U.S.
▲2.7%
Pay trend: The median for mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders in the U.S. rose from $47,680 (May 2024) to $48,990 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders do
Set up, operate, or tend machines to mix or blend materials, such as chemicals, tobacco, liquids, color pigments, or explosive ingredients.
- 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
- -6.1% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 7,900
- Self-employed
- 3%
Employment of mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders is projected to shrink 6.1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 7,900 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.
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$41,543
per year · effective tax rate 15.2%
$3,462Monthly
$1,731Twice a month
$1,598Every 2 weeks
$19.97Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,699
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,037
- Medicare (1.45%)$710
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$41,543
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,790 | $17.69 | $31,741 |
| 25th percentile | $42,850 | $20.60 | $36,610 |
| Median (50th) | $48,990 | $23.55 | $41,543 |
| 75th percentile | $59,860 | $28.78 | $50,278 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,200 | $33.75 | $58,216 |
Best cities for mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $56,780 | $45,334 | $40,274 | 3,430 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $50,230 | $40,198 | $38,803 | 6,550 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $56,780
- Chicago, IL — $50,230
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $60,790 | +24.1% | $48,205 | $40,640 – $74,920 | 420 |
| Minnesota | $59,270 | +15.2% | $47,296 | $45,610 – $77,290 | 1,760 |
| Wyoming | $58,320 | +1.4% | $49,040 | $44,350 – $78,110 | 210 |
| New Jersey | $57,810 | −1.8% | $46,984 | $37,940 – $75,240 | 2,050 |
| Maine | $55,540 | +5.5% | $44,239 | $39,420 – $80,430 | 220 |
| Connecticut | $53,830 | +17.0% | $43,935 | $42,200 – $84,900 | 260 |
| Washington | $53,800 | −0.4% | $45,408 | $41,630 – $91,770 | 2,270 |
| Illinois | $53,560 | +10.6% | $42,709 | $39,460 – $73,720 | 10,240 |
| Maryland | $53,480 | +3.8% | $42,975 | $40,200 – $70,770 | 770 |
| New York | $53,170 | +7.5% | $42,628 | $36,120 – $72,540 | 4,340 |
| Wisconsin | $52,200 | −2.6% | $42,607 | $39,900 – $74,320 | 3,380 |
| New Hampshire | $51,920 | +3.2% | $43,898 | $34,150 – $70,020 | 310 |
| Iowa | $51,570 | +11.0% | $42,309 | $41,550 – $73,410 | 2,310 |
| Delaware | $51,460 | +11.2% | $41,349 | $39,350 – $66,550 | 130 |
| West Virginia | $51,020 | +8.3% | $41,609 | $38,460 – $66,420 | 350 |
| Kansas | $50,750 | +7.0% | $40,925 | $36,700 – $70,660 | 1,380 |
| California | $50,640 | +5.9% | $41,123 | $38,220 – $79,340 | 5,730 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,550 | +1.9% | $41,245 | $38,270 – $71,570 | 4,380 |
| Oregon | $50,420 | +1.1% | $39,110 | $39,060 – $75,160 | 1,090 |
| Missouri | $50,340 | +4.3% | $41,200 | $39,120 – $65,260 | 2,800 |
| Virginia | $49,970 | −0.6% | $40,272 | $38,800 – $65,790 | 1,530 |
| Alaska | $49,740 | +44.6% | $42,146 | $35,290 – $75,780 | 60 |
| Nebraska | $49,050 | +10.9% | $40,239 | $38,620 – $61,100 | 940 |
| South Dakota | $49,000 | +17.5% | $41,552 | $30,070 – $58,250 | 510 |
| Colorado | $48,520 | +7.0% | $39,739 | $40,800 – $62,260 | 640 |
| Kentucky | $48,490 | −0.8% | $39,562 | $37,750 – $59,850 | 1,660 |
| Nevada | $48,460 | +0.4% | $41,118 | $36,670 – $64,640 | 650 |
| Arizona | $48,280 | +4.1% | $39,975 | $38,320 – $73,010 | 1,400 |
| North Dakota | $48,000 | +1.5% | $40,748 | $39,240 – $63,550 | 260 |
| Tennessee | $47,840 | +5.0% | $40,619 | $36,600 – $60,850 | 1,610 |
| South Carolina | $47,740 | −4.3% | $38,832 | $35,680 – $64,700 | 2,560 |
| Ohio | $47,720 | +0.4% | $39,993 | $37,150 – $70,830 | 5,230 |
| Indiana | $47,650 | −1.2% | $39,091 | $37,390 – $66,600 | 4,840 |
| Rhode Island | $47,610 | −2.3% | $39,266 | $32,820 – $66,140 | 190 |
| Louisiana | $47,330 | −4.0% | $39,176 | $32,430 – $112,420 | 570 |
| Utah | $47,180 | +5.0% | $38,932 | $36,050 – $70,040 | 1,290 |
| North Carolina | $47,020 | +1.7% | $38,593 | $36,380 – $62,780 | 3,400 |
| Georgia | $47,000 | +2.6% | $38,128 | $34,790 – $59,830 | 3,420 |
| Oklahoma | $47,000 | +4.4% | $38,375 | $32,710 – $67,670 | 960 |
| Mississippi | $46,410 | +4.9% | $38,346 | $35,420 – $68,760 | 1,070 |
| Alabama | $46,050 | +1.2% | $37,144 | $34,960 – $64,430 | 2,220 |
| Florida | $46,000 | −1.4% | $39,141 | $34,550 – $59,780 | 3,550 |
| Vermont | $45,420 | −7.1% | $37,587 | $40,680 – $62,240 | 280 |
| Texas | $45,320 | +7.4% | $38,595 | $31,110 – $64,430 | 6,350 |
| Idaho | $44,690 | −1.0% | $36,828 | $37,990 – $54,800 | 510 |
| Arkansas | $44,650 | −1.3% | $36,528 | $35,670 – $64,200 | 1,100 |
| Michigan | $44,310 | −3.0% | $36,151 | $35,370 – $64,990 | 3,040 |
| Montana | $38,410 | +2.1% | $31,994 | $34,570 – $53,330 | 280 |
| New Mexico | $36,980 | +1.8% | $31,271 | $28,230 – $63,140 | 340 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,540 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.7% |
| Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand | $42,660 | No formal educational credential | -19.2% |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,570 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.5% |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $49,610 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.9% |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,250 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.5% |
| Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders | $48,040 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.6% |
| Medical Appliance Technician | $48,030 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.5% |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,270 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.6% |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 | High school diploma or equivalent | -9.4% |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,570 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders make?
The national median salary for mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders is $48,990 a year ($23.55 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,790 and the top 10% earn over $70,200. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median pay at $60,790. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders are there in the U.S.?
About 94,920 people work as mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders nationwide.