Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
The median pay for a packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC is $48,770/year ($23.45/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $72K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.57), that's roughly $49,985 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,711/month — about 50.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $49K get you in Durham-Chapel Hill?
About packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Entry-level packaging and filling machine operators and tenders (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K.Top earners bring in $72K or more - a $32K 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 Durham-Chapel Hill numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median is $48,770 a year - that works out to about $23.45 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,800, and experienced packaging and filling machine operators and tenders can clear $71,640. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Durham-Chapel Hill?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,253/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,711/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 52.6% 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 Durham-Chapel Hill?
Durham-Chapel Hill has a Regional Price Parity of 97.57 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median packaging and filling machine operators and tenders salary is worth about $49,985 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.