Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary by State
The national median pay for food cooking machine operators and tenders is $41,590 a year. By state, it ranges from $27,080 in Alabama to $51,100 in Washington.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $31,680
- 25th percentile
- $36,190
- Median
- $41,590
- 75th percentile
- $47,380
- Top 10%
- $54,410
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 31,250 jobs.
Median pay in 41 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $51,100 | +23% | $41,060 | $60,660 | 310 |
| 2 | Utah | $48,620 | +17% | $31,850 | $52,830 | 390 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $47,960 | +15% | $37,760 | $56,530 | 170 |
| 4 | Iowa | $47,900 | +15% | $43,410 | $52,020 | 850 |
| 5 | Michigan | $47,260 | +14% | $39,980 | $54,440 | 380 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $47,250 | +14% | $46,660 | $49,770 | 1,410 |
| 7 | Colorado | $46,900 | +13% | $40,100 | $62,620 | 300 |
| 8 | Kansas | $45,850 | +10% | $33,330 | $50,030 | 750 |
| 9 | New York | $45,680 | +10% | $36,300 | $60,250 | 1,300 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $45,620 | +10% | $35,100 | $62,560 | 1,820 |
| 11 | Nebraska | $45,420 | +9% | $34,910 | $57,390 | 670 |
| 12 | Idaho | $45,120 | +8% | $36,630 | $75,380 | 790 |
| 13 | California | $44,740 | +8% | $35,770 | $53,340 | 2,010 |
| 14 | Oregon | $44,530 | +7% | $36,450 | $55,770 | 570 |
| 15 | Louisiana | $44,440 | +7% | $18,680 | $61,360 | 550 |
| 16 | Arizona | $44,050 | +6% | $32,210 | $51,970 | 560 |
| 17 | Indiana | $43,350 | +4% | $38,820 | $51,730 | 540 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $42,710 | +3% | $34,960 | $51,520 | 1,580 |
| 19 | Illinois | $42,670 | +3% | $32,480 | $51,320 | 2,460 |
| 20 | Missouri | $42,160 | +1% | $28,810 | $57,020 | 620 |
| 21 | Kentucky | $41,800 | +1% | $36,360 | $52,990 | 300 |
| 22 | Ohio | $41,160 | −1% | $33,740 | $55,430 | 980 |
| 23 | Arkansas | $40,480 | −3% | $34,660 | $48,930 | 330 |
| 24 | New Hampshire | $40,440 | −3% | $34,100 | $50,170 | 110 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $40,000 | −4% | $35,000 | $60,400 | 850 |
| 26 | South Dakota | $39,270 | −6% | $31,280 | $48,890 | 120 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $39,070 | −6% | $28,770 | $46,430 | 770 |
| 28 | Connecticut | $38,880 | −7% | $34,010 | $49,680 | 60 |
| 29 | Georgia | $38,440 | −8% | $31,500 | $49,280 | 690 |
| 30 | South Carolina | $38,220 | −8% | $36,520 | $46,370 | 520 |
| 31 | Maine | $37,500 | −10% | $35,990 | $53,150 | 170 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $37,180 | −11% | $32,220 | $45,170 | 430 |
| 33 | Maryland | $36,960 | −11% | $33,530 | $40,090 | Not published |
| 34 | Nevada | $36,610 | −12% | $31,270 | $47,510 | Not published |
| 35 | Florida | $36,450 | −12% | $29,800 | $47,550 | 970 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $36,030 | −13% | $35,680 | $45,490 | 1,140 |
| 37 | Virginia | $35,140 | −16% | $31,480 | $48,800 | 510 |
| 38 | Texas | $33,980 | −18% | $25,480 | $45,460 | 3,180 |
| 39 | Delaware | $31,240 | −25% | $31,240 | $39,530 | Not published |
| 40 | Mississippi | $31,150 | −25% | $21,730 | $35,340 | 110 |
| 41 | Alabama | $27,080 | −35% | $23,000 | $45,200 | 250 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary questions
Which state pays food cooking machine operators and tenders the most?
Washington, with a median of $51,100 a year (+23% vs. the national median of $41,590). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays food cooking machine operators and tenders the least?
Alabama, with a median of $27,080 a year (−35% vs. national).
Where do most food cooking machine operators and tenders work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 3,180, with a median of $33,980.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.