Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
The median pay for a paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is $51,790/year ($24.9/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $62K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.27), so that salary is closer to $47,834 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,941/month — about 86.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $52K get you in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Boston-Cambridge-Newton’s Regional Price Parity (108.27). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Entry-level paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K. Top earners bring in $62K or more, a $17K spread from bottom to top.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $63K | +27% | 930 |
| Oklahoma | $62K | +25% | 1,440 |
| Utah | $59K | +20% | 920 |
| Wisconsin | $58K | +17% | 6,930 |
| Oregon | $57K | +15% | 890 |
| Illinois | $57K | +15% | 5,720 |
| Idaho | $56K | +14% | 500 |
| Washington | $56K | +14% | 2,500 |
| Minnesota | $56K | +13% | 1,950 |
| Kentucky | $54K | +9% | 2,310 |
| New York | $52K | +5% | 3,390 |
| South Carolina | $52K | +5% | 3,650 |
| Connecticut | $52K | +4% | 690 |
| Maine | $51K | +4% | 810 |
| Pennsylvania | $51K | +3% | 7,720 |
| California | $50K | +1% | 5,050 |
| Alabama | $49K | -0% | 3,930 |
| Virginia | $49K | -1% | 2,310 |
| Iowa | $49K | -1% | 1,180 |
| Ohio | $49K | -1% | 3,900 |
| New Hampshire | $49K | -1% | 130 |
| Massachusetts | $49K | -2% | 2,150 |
| Michigan | $49K | -2% | 3,540 |
| Georgia | $48K | -2% | 6,390 |
| Nevada | $48K | -2% | 450 |
| Tennessee | $48K | -3% | 3,130 |
| Arizona | $48K | -4% | 980 |
| North Carolina | $48K | -4% | 5,010 |
| Indiana | $48K | -4% | 3,120 |
| Delaware | $47K | -4% | 160 |
| Rhode Island | $47K | -4% | 420 |
| Nebraska | $47K | -5% | 260 |
| Florida | $47K | -5% | 1,560 |
| Mississippi | $47K | -6% | 1,210 |
| New Mexico | $46K | -6% | 120 |
| Missouri | $46K | -6% | 1,650 |
| New Jersey | $46K | -6% | 2,570 |
| Kansas | $46K | -7% | 550 |
| Arkansas | $46K | -8% | 1,850 |
| Texas | $45K | -10% | 4,150 |
| South Dakota | $44K | -10% | 80 |
| Maryland | $35K | -30% | 280 |
Showing 1–10 of 42 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
How much do paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median is $51,790 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,040, and experienced paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders can clear $62,090. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,422/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,941/month, which eats 85.9% 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 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders salary go in Boston-Cambridge-Newton?
Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a Regional Price Parity of 108.27 (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 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders salary is worth about $47,834 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do paper goods machine setters, 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.