Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Salinas, CA
The median pay for a packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Salinas, CA is $44,530/year ($21.41/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $56K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.04), so that salary is closer to $40,838 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,684/month — about 87.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $45K get you in Salinas?
About packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Salinas, CA
Entry-level packaging and filling machine operators and tenders (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $45K.Top earners bring in $56K or more - a $19K 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 Salinas numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Salinas, CA?
The median is $44,530 a year - that works out to about $21.41 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,290, and experienced packaging and filling machine operators and tenders can clear $56,480. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $45K enough to live in Salinas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,071/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,684/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 87.4% 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 Salinas?
Salinas has a Regional Price Parity of 109.04 (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 $40,838 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.