Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary
The median pay for a paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Utah is $60,790/year ($29.23/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $73K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.54), that's roughly $61,691 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,350/month, about 33.8% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Utah. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $61K get you in Utah?
About paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders
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What this looks like in Utah
Utah sits well above the national pay line for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders, local pay runs about 21% higher than the U.S. median of $50K. Rent runs $1,350/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 98.54) 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, Utah
Entry-level paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K. Top earners bring in $73K or more, a $27K spread from bottom to top.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary by metro in Utah
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provo-Orem-Lehi | $60K | -1% | 150 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray | $51K | -16% | 440 |
Compare to other states
Track paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Utah numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a paper goods machine setters, operators, and tender afford a 2BR apartment alone in Utah?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $61K, rent takes 33.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,350/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,200/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Utah?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,753/month. At HUD’s $1,350/month FMR, rent would take 49% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is paper goods machine setters, operators, and tender a high-paying job in Utah?
Local pay is 21% above the national median — $61K here vs. $50K nationally.
How does Utah compare to the national average for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Utah pays $61K median vs. the U.S. average of $50K — that’s +21%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.54), the purchasing-power equivalent is $62K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Utah?
The median is $60,790 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,880, and experienced paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders can clear $73,270. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in Utah?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,005/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,350/month, which eats 33.7% 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 Utah?
Utah has a Regional Price Parity of 98.54 (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 $61,691 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.