Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Longview-Kelso, WA
The median pay for a paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Longview-Kelso, WA is $66,600/year ($32.02/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $87K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.55), that's roughly $68,273 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,451/month — about 31.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $67K get you in Longview-Kelso?
About paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Longview-Kelso, WA
Entry-level paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $67K.Top earners bring in $87K or more - a $36K 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 |
Track paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Longview-Kelso numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Longview-Kelso, WA?
The median is $66,600 a year - that works out to about $32.02 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,840, and experienced paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders can clear $86,690. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $67K enough to live in Longview-Kelso?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,603/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,451/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 31.5% 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 Longview-Kelso?
Longview-Kelso has a Regional Price Parity of 97.55 (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 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders salary is worth about $68,273 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.