Packaging Machine Operator

Packaging Machine Operator Salary

$26.5K

$39K

$59K

$41,564

/year

$19.98

/hour

Packaging Machine Operator Salary Comparison by Location

Nationwide

United States

$41,564

Columbus

Ohio

$40,147

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    How much does a Packaging Machine Operator make?

    As of Jun 11, 2026, the average annual pay for a Packaging Machine Operator in the United States is $41,564 a year.

    Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $19.98 an hour. This is the equivalent of $799/week or $3,463/month.

    While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $59,000 and as low as $26,500, the majority of Packaging Machine Operator salaries currently range between $35,000 (25th percentile) to $46,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $56,500 annually across the United States. The average pay range for a Packaging Machine Operator varies greatly (by as much as 11000), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.

    A Packaging Machine Operator in your area makes on average $40,147 per year, or $1,417 (3.409%) less than the national average annual salary of $41,564. Ohio ranks number 30 out of 50 states nationwide for Packaging Machine Operator salaries.

    To estimate the most accurate annual salary range for Packaging Machine Operator jobs, ZipRecruiter continuously scans its database of millions of active jobs published locally throughout America.

    Find your next high paying job as a Packaging Machine Operator on ZipRecruiter today.

    What are Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Packaging Machine Operator Jobs

    We've identified 10 cities where the typical salary for a Packaging Machine Operator job is above the national average. Topping the list is Soledad, CA, , with Nome, AK, and Berkeley, CA, close behind in the second and third positions. Berkeley, CA, beats the national average by $9,329 (22.4%), and Soledad, CA, furthers that trend with another $20,612 (49.6%) above the $41,564 average.

    With these 10 cities having average salaries higher than the national average, the opportunities for economic advancement by changing locations as a Packaging Machine Operator appears to be exceedingly fruitful.

    However, another factor to consider is the average salary for these top 10 cities varies modestly at 24% between Soledad, CA, and Livermore, CA, , suggesting it may be difficult to see much positive wage advancement. The possibility of a lower cost of living may help determine the balance between location and salary for a Packaging Machine Operator role.

    City

    Annual Salary

    Hourly Wage

    Soledad, CA

    $62,176

    $29.89

    Nome, AK

    $51,560

    $24.79

    Berkeley, CA

    $50,893

    $24.47

    Deer Park, CA

    $50,850

    $24.45

    Columbia, WA

    $50,767

    $24.41

    Sitka, AK

    $50,072

    $24.07

    San Francisco, CA

    $48,970

    $23.54

    Santa Clara, CA

    $48,815

    $23.47

    Sunnyvale, CA

    $48,782

    $23.45

    Livermore, CA

    $48,754

    $23.44

    What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Packaging Machine Operator Jobs in the U.S.

    Analyzing some similar jobs related to the Packaging Machine Operator job category, we found that Packaging Manager jobs have average salaries greater than Packaging Machine Operator jobs.

    Significantly, Packaging Manager jobs pay $46,105 (110.9%) more than the average Packaging Machine Operator salary of $41,564. If you're qualified, finding work as a Packaging Manager may help you make more money than that of the average Packaging Machine Operator position.

    Job Title

    Annual Salary

    Hourly Wage

    Packaging Manager

    $87,669

    $42.15

    Production Machine Operator

    $38,296

    $18.41

    Oven Operator

    $38,034

    $18.29

    Overhead Crane Operator

    $37,735

    $18.14

    Filling Machine Operator

    $35,817

    $17.22

    About Our Data

    ZipRecruiter salary estimates, histograms, trends and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third party data sources.

    Infographic detailing Packaging Machine Operator salary across the United States as of June 2026. Displays a bar chart with salary percentiles, a national average salary of $41,564 per year or $19.98 an hour, and a color-coded map showing state-by-state salary variations.