Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders Salary
The median pay for a packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Washington is $41,700/year ($20.05/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $57K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $40,878 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 61% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $42K get you in Washington?
About packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
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What this looks like in Washington
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $42K locally vs. $43K nationwide, a 4% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,830/month, which is 61.8% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level packaging and filling machine operators and tenders (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $42K. Top earners bring in $57K or more, a $21K spread from bottom to top.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary by metro in Washington
10 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $50K | +19% | 190 |
| Longview-Kelso | $48K | +15% | 540 |
| Walla Walla | $44K | +5% | 100 |
| Yakima | $44K | +5% | 650 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $43K | +4% | 2,850 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $40K | -5% | N/A |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $40K | -5% | 400 |
| Bellingham | $39K | -6% | 370 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $39K | -7% | 1,160 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $38K | -9% | 180 |
Compare to other states
Track packaging and filling machine operators and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a packaging and filling machine operators and tender afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $42K, rent takes 61.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new packaging and filling machine operators and tenders typically earn — is $36K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,179/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 84% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is packaging and filling machine operators and tender a high-paying job in Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $42K locally vs. $43K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders?
Washington pays $42K median vs. the U.S. average of $43K — that’s -4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $41K — below the national median.
How much do packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Washington?
The median is $41,700 a year, that works out to about $20 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,310, and experienced packaging and filling machine operators and tenders can clear $57,250. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $42K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,962/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 61.8% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $40,878 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.