Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
The median pay for a paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $59,300/year ($28.51/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $65K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $53,361 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 60.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $59K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K.Top earners bring in $65K or more - a $19K 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $59,300 a year - that works out to about $28.51 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,230, and experienced paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders can clear $65,460. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,140/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 60.4% 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 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders salary go in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (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 $53,361 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.