Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in U.S.
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in U.S. make a median of $40,550 a year, or about $19.49 an hour. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $54K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $41K get you in U.S.?
About food cooking machine operators and tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level food cooking machine operators and tenders (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $41K.Top earners bring in $54K or more - a $24K spread from bottom to top.
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $50K | +23% | 400 |
| Michigan | $48K | +19% | 720 |
| Washington | $48K | +18% | 320 |
| Minnesota | $48K | +18% | 380 |
| New Mexico | $47K | +17% | 290 |
| Idaho | $46K | +15% | 780 |
| New York | $46K | +14% | 960 |
| Iowa | $46K | +13% | 1,000 |
| Kansas | $46K | +12% | 710 |
| Tennessee | $45K | +11% | 1,730 |
| California | $45K | +10% | 2,340 |
| Massachusetts | $43K | +6% | 450 |
| Illinois | $43K | +6% | 920 |
| Oregon | $42K | +5% | 600 |
| Connecticut | $42K | +5% | 80 |
Track food cooking machine operators and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do food cooking machine operators and tenders make in U.S.?
The median is $40,550 a year - that works out to about $19.49 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $30,540, and experienced food cooking machine operators and tenders can clear $54,170. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $41K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,885/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 48.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a food cooking machine operators and tenders salary go in U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median food cooking machine operators and tenders salary is worth about $40,550 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do food cooking machine operators and tenders get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.