Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in the United States was $50,270 ($24.17 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| 25th | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| Median | $50,270 | $24.17 |
| 75th | $60,180 | $28.93 |
| 90th | $70,320 | $33.81 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 51-9196
- Total U.S. employment: 96,130
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
With approximately 96,130 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders employed, this is a major occupation in the labor market.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $52,290 | $25.14 | +4.0% | 3,800 |
| Arizona | $49,160 | $23.63 | -2.2% | 1,190 |
| Arkansas | $48,630 | $23.38 | -3.3% | 2,060 |
| California | $48,730 | $23.43 | -3.1% | 5,570 |
| Colorado | $48,940 | $23.53 | -2.6% | 240 |
| Connecticut | $48,530 | $23.33 | -3.5% | 650 |
| Delaware | $48,110 | $23.13 | -4.3% | 160 |
| Florida | $48,910 | $23.51 | -2.7% | 1,360 |
| Georgia | $50,160 | $24.12 | -0.2% | 5,650 |
| Idaho | $57,950 | $27.86 | +15.3% | 480 |
| Illinois | $56,400 | $27.11 | +12.2% | 5,360 |
| Indiana | $48,780 | $23.45 | -3.0% | 2,580 |
| Iowa | $46,110 | $22.17 | -8.3% | 1,010 |
| Kansas | $45,840 | $22.04 | -8.8% | 420 |
| Kentucky | $58,050 | $27.91 | +15.5% | 2,670 |
| Louisiana | $58,230 | $28.00 | +15.8% | 1,150 |
| Maine | $61,780 | $29.70 | +22.9% | 740 |
| Maryland | $47,780 | $22.97 | -5.0% | 480 |
| Massachusetts | $48,840 | $23.48 | -2.8% | 1,920 |
| Michigan | $50,540 | $24.30 | +0.5% | 3,000 |
| Minnesota | $58,150 | $27.96 | +15.7% | 1,960 |
| Mississippi | $47,380 | $22.78 | -5.7% | 960 |
| Missouri | $47,560 | $22.87 | -5.4% | 1,540 |
| Nebraska | $47,980 | $23.07 | -4.6% | 300 |
| Nevada | $47,780 | $22.97 | -5.0% | 380 |
| New Hampshire | $50,200 | $24.13 | -0.1% | 230 |
| New Jersey | $45,950 | $22.09 | -8.6% | 3,210 |
| New Mexico | $53,930 | $25.93 | +7.3% | 100 |
| New York | $52,800 | $25.39 | +5.0% | 3,280 |
| North Carolina | $47,940 | $23.05 | -4.6% | 4,800 |
| Ohio | $47,450 | $22.81 | -5.6% | 4,640 |
| Oklahoma | $63,640 | $30.60 | +26.6% | 1,390 |
| Oregon | $56,810 | $27.31 | +13.0% | 680 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,780 | $24.89 | +3.0% | 7,410 |
| Rhode Island | $48,710 | $23.42 | -3.1% | 240 |
| South Carolina | $50,040 | $24.06 | -0.5% | 2,460 |
| South Dakota | $46,910 | $22.55 | -6.7% | 130 |
| Tennessee | $46,920 | $22.56 | -6.7% | 3,490 |
| Texas | $47,830 | $23.00 | -4.9% | 3,740 |
| Utah | $60,790 | $29.23 | +20.9% | 1,350 |
| Virginia | $49,900 | $23.99 | -0.7% | 2,370 |
| Washington | $59,410 | $28.56 | +18.2% | 2,170 |
| Wisconsin | $58,050 | $27.91 | +15.5% | 8,510 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators — $44,650/yr
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $63,970/yr
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $50,670/yr
- Security Guards — $38,020/yr
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $69,990/yr
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $72,080/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders?
The median annual wage for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders is $50,270 ($24.17 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 96,130 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $24.17. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.