Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
The median pay for a packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $41,530/year ($19.97/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $33K at the entry level to $48K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.96), that's roughly $41,135 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,787/month — about 63.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $42K get you in Charleston-North Charleston?
About packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Entry-level packaging and filling machine operators and tenders (10th percentile) start around $33K. Mid-career wages sit at $42K.Top earners bring in $48K or more - a $15K spread from bottom to top.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $49K | +19% | 380 |
| Maine | $48K | +17% | 1,480 |
| West Virginia | $47K | +16% | 950 |
| Missouri | $47K | +15% | 10,380 |
| Idaho | $46K | +14% | 3,390 |
| New Hampshire | $46K | +13% | 550 |
| Virginia | $46K | +13% | 6,890 |
| Tennessee | $46K | +11% | 7,600 |
| North Dakota | $45K | +11% | 910 |
| Nebraska | $45K | +9% | 3,800 |
| Wisconsin | $44K | +8% | 16,500 |
| Iowa | $44K | +7% | 7,460 |
| Vermont | $44K | +7% | 830 |
| California | $44K | +7% | 45,330 |
| Pennsylvania | $43K | +6% | 18,940 |
Track packaging and filling machine operators and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Charleston-North Charleston numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median is $41,530 a year - that works out to about $19.97 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $33,240, and experienced packaging and filling machine operators and tenders can clear $48,440. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $42K enough to live in Charleston-North Charleston?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,865/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,787/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 62.4% 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 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders salary go in Charleston-North Charleston?
Charleston-North Charleston has a Regional Price Parity of 100.96 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median packaging and filling machine operators and tenders salary is worth about $41,135 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do packaging and filling 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.