Average Salary for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
SOC 51-9111 · Production Occupations · 2024 data
The median annual wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in the United States is $40,900 ($19.67/hr), based on 2024 BLS OEWS data. Wages range from $31,890 at the 10th percentile to $58,910 at the 90th percentile nationally. An estimated 383,860 people work in this occupation across the country. The national median wage has grown 54.9% since 2014.
Median Annual
$40,900
Mean Annual
$43,630
10th Pct
$31,890
75th Pct
$48,440
Employment
383,860
Salary Distribution
$32k
10th
$36k
25th
$41k
Median
$48k
75th
$59k
90th
Highest Paying Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $79,300 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $77,290 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $65,570 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $63,370 |
| Williamsport, PA | $62,930 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $59,180 |
| Owensboro, KY | $57,480 |
| Modesto, CA | $56,990 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $55,890 |
| Salisbury, MD | $55,460 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $54,400 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $53,930 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $52,570 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $51,530 |
| Grand Island, NE | $51,080 |
Salary by State
| State | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $48,530 |
| Maine | $47,680 |
| West Virginia | $47,410 |
| Missouri | $47,010 |
| Idaho | $46,470 |
| New Hampshire | $46,310 |
| Virginia | $46,230 |
| Tennessee | $45,530 |
| North Dakota | $45,390 |
| Nebraska | $44,760 |
| Colorado | $44,320 |
| Wisconsin | $44,170 |
| Iowa | $43,900 |
| Vermont | $43,680 |
| California | $43,670 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,470 |
| Minnesota | $43,230 |
| Kentucky | $43,190 |
| Kansas | $43,030 |
| Indiana | $42,820 |
| Oregon | $42,640 |
| Maryland | $42,210 |
| New Jersey | $42,190 |
| Montana | $41,200 |
| South Dakota | $41,080 |
| Illinois | $40,920 |
| Georgia | $40,900 |
| Ohio | $40,800 |
| North Carolina | $40,640 |
| Washington | $40,580 |
| Utah | $40,430 |
| New York | $39,910 |
| Arizona | $39,720 |
| Rhode Island | $39,300 |
| Massachusetts | $38,690 |
| Connecticut | $38,150 |
| Michigan | $38,090 |
| Alaska | $37,880 |
| South Carolina | $37,870 |
| Oklahoma | $37,690 |
| Arkansas | $37,660 |
| Nevada | $37,440 |
| Texas | $37,200 |
| Mississippi | $37,060 |
| Delaware | $36,570 |
| Florida | $36,560 |
| New Mexico | $35,970 |
| Alabama | $35,760 |
| Hawaii | $31,620 |
| Louisiana | $30,670 |
| Puerto Rico | $24,950 |
Salary by Industry
National median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders broken down by industry sector, 2024 data.
| Industry | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $71,200 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | $71,200 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | $64,360 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $59,880 |
| Tobacco Manufacturing | $59,320 |
| Testing Laboratories and Services | $59,220 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $56,160 |
| Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences | $56,160 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $52,520 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $52,520 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $51,360 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $51,360 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, including State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $51,360 |
| Mining (except Oil and Gas) | $51,190 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying | $51,190 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $51,190 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | $51,090 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | $49,610 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | $49,300 |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | $48,500 |
| Beverage Manufacturing | $48,360 |
| Grain and Oilseed Milling | $48,290 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | $48,000 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | $47,930 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) | $47,870 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | $47,850 |
| Dairy Product Manufacturing | $47,440 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $47,120 |
| Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | $47,000 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $46,950 |
| Paper Manufacturing | $46,870 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $46,280 |
| Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $46,280 |
| Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | $46,220 |
| Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | $46,120 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | $46,020 |
| Building Material and Supplies Dealers | $45,870 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | $45,390 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $45,360 |
| Rubber Product Manufacturing | $45,280 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | $44,970 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $44,650 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $44,650 |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $44,160 |
| Animal Food Manufacturing | $44,120 |
| Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | $43,800 |
| Full-Service Restaurants | $43,540 |
| Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | $43,530 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $43,290 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | $43,290 |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers | $43,220 |
| Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $43,070 |
| Business Support Services | $43,060 |
| Manufacturing | $43,010 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $42,990 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $42,990 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | $42,980 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing | $42,940 |
| Food Manufacturing | $42,700 |
| Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | $42,680 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4242 and 4246 only) | $42,650 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | $42,570 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | $42,550 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | $42,550 |
| Machine Shops | $42,420 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing | $42,370 |
| Other Food Manufacturing | $42,350 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services | $42,240 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | $42,240 |
| Remediation and Other Waste Management Services | $42,240 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $41,680 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $41,680 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $41,680 |
| Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers | $41,600 |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | $40,900 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $40,890 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $40,890 |
| Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | $40,830 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $40,830 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | $40,720 |
| Household Appliance Manufacturing | $40,550 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $40,440 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $40,430 |
| Wholesale Trade | $40,420 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | $40,410 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing | $40,350 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | $40,280 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | $40,240 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | $40,240 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4244 and 4248 only) | $40,110 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $40,040 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | $39,800 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | $39,790 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | $39,660 |
| Animal Slaughtering and Processing | $39,620 |
| Restaurants and Other Eating Places | $39,590 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | $39,570 |
| Fabric Mills | $39,350 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $39,340 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | $39,330 |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | $39,330 |
| Sawmills and Wood Preservation | $39,310 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4241, 4247, and 4249 only) | $39,280 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | $39,260 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | $39,110 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | $38,900 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | $38,900 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $38,740 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement | $38,710 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $38,680 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | $38,580 |
| Food and Beverage Retailers | $38,540 |
| Food and Beverage Retailers (4451 and 4452 only) | $38,540 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | $38,540 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | $38,470 |
| Construction | $38,470 |
| Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $38,430 |
| Other Textile Product Mills | $38,060 |
| Textile Mills | $38,000 |
| Newspaper Publishers | $37,920 |
| Support Activities for Transportation | $37,810 |
| Support Activities for Crop Production | $37,800 |
| Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry | $37,770 |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | $37,770 |
| Retail Trade | $37,710 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | $37,690 |
| Other Support Activities for Transportation | $37,680 |
| Foundries | $37,590 |
| Other Support Services | $37,310 |
| General Merchandise Retailers | $37,220 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers | $37,160 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | $37,060 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | $37,060 |
| Other Miscellaneous Retailers | $37,000 |
| Apparel Knitting Mills | $36,860 |
| Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | $36,680 |
| Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging | $36,610 |
| Specialized Design Services | $36,590 |
| Personal Care Services | $36,560 |
| Health and Personal Care Retailers | $36,500 |
| Health and Personal Care Retailers | $36,500 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | $36,360 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $36,360 |
| Temporary Help Services | $36,270 |
| Employment Services | $36,200 |
| Office Administrative Services | $35,560 |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers (4594 and 4595 only) | $35,400 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | $35,380 |
| Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | $35,100 |
| Publishing Industries | $35,100 |
| Apparel Manufacturing | $34,810 |
| Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | $34,590 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance | $34,320 |
| Repair and Maintenance | $34,320 |
| Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media | $34,110 |
| Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | $34,100 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $33,990 |
| Textile Product Mills | $33,550 |
| Personal and Laundry Services | $32,940 |
| Support Activities for Animal Production | $32,740 |
| Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills | $32,740 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $32,220 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services | $31,290 |
| Social Assistance | $31,290 |
| Drycleaning and Laundry Services | $30,500 |
| Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers | $29,890 |
| Textile Furnishings Mills | $28,570 |
| Special Food Services | $27,000 |
National Wage Trend
View data table
| Year | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $40,900 |
| 2023 | $38,330 |
| 2022 | $36,750 |
| 2021 | $35,960 |
| 2020 | $32,640 |
| 2019 | $30,990 |
| 2018 | $30,160 |
| 2017 | $29,350 |
| 2016 | $28,290 |
| 2015 | $27,080 |
| 2014 | $26,410 |