Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary by State
The national median pay for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders is $50,270 a year. By state, it ranges from $45,840 in Kansas to $63,640 in Oklahoma.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $37,300
- 25th percentile
- $44,920
- Median
- $50,270
- 75th percentile
- $60,180
- Top 10%
- $70,320
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 96,130 jobs.
Median pay in 43 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | $63,640 | +27% | $39,480 | $79,410 | 1,390 |
| 2 | Maine | $61,780 | +23% | $47,310 | $83,340 | 740 |
| 3 | Utah | $60,790 | +21% | $45,880 | $73,270 | 1,350 |
| 4 | Washington | $59,410 | +18% | $44,640 | $74,410 | 2,170 |
| 5 | Louisiana | $58,230 | +16% | $44,480 | $79,730 | 1,150 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $58,150 | +16% | $40,250 | $74,310 | 1,960 |
| 7 | Kentucky | $58,050 | +15% | $46,450 | $76,610 | 2,670 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $58,050 | +15% | $45,740 | $70,240 | 8,510 |
| 9 | Idaho | $57,950 | +15% | $50,930 | $89,760 | 480 |
| 10 | Oregon | $56,810 | +13% | $46,300 | $83,640 | 680 |
| 11 | Illinois | $56,400 | +12% | $39,830 | $62,810 | 5,360 |
| 12 | New Mexico | $53,930 | +7% | $34,080 | $72,340 | 100 |
| 13 | New York | $52,800 | +5% | $35,830 | $68,510 | 3,280 |
| 14 | Alabama | $52,290 | +4% | $36,670 | $79,660 | 3,800 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $51,780 | +3% | $37,910 | $70,000 | 7,410 |
| 16 | Michigan | $50,540 | +1% | $38,950 | $66,750 | 3,000 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $50,200 | 0% | $39,630 | $68,890 | 230 |
| 18 | Georgia | $50,160 | 0% | $35,140 | $75,900 | 5,650 |
| 19 | South Carolina | $50,040 | 0% | $37,560 | $79,320 | 2,460 |
| 20 | Virginia | $49,900 | −1% | $36,950 | $78,210 | 2,370 |
| 21 | Arizona | $49,160 | −2% | $37,300 | $58,270 | 1,190 |
| 22 | Colorado | $48,940 | −3% | $39,090 | $66,860 | 240 |
| 23 | Florida | $48,910 | −3% | $37,390 | $74,990 | 1,360 |
| 24 | Massachusetts | $48,840 | −3% | $38,600 | $65,220 | 1,920 |
| 25 | Indiana | $48,780 | −3% | $36,070 | $60,800 | 2,580 |
| 26 | California | $48,730 | −3% | $37,450 | $65,210 | 5,570 |
| 27 | Rhode Island | $48,710 | −3% | $35,590 | $51,890 | 240 |
| 28 | Arkansas | $48,630 | −3% | $35,870 | $61,770 | 2,060 |
| 29 | Connecticut | $48,530 | −3% | $38,500 | $72,900 | 650 |
| 30 | Delaware | $48,110 | −4% | $35,480 | $62,130 | 160 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $47,980 | −5% | $37,070 | $55,600 | 300 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $47,940 | −5% | $35,480 | $63,410 | 4,800 |
| 33 | Texas | $47,830 | −5% | $36,490 | $66,200 | 3,740 |
| 34 | Maryland | $47,780 | −5% | $34,980 | $60,090 | 480 |
| 35 | Nevada | $47,780 | −5% | $39,690 | $63,350 | 380 |
| 36 | Missouri | $47,560 | −5% | $37,370 | $59,400 | 1,540 |
| 37 | Ohio | $47,450 | −6% | $38,570 | $60,680 | 4,640 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $47,380 | −6% | $33,800 | $80,770 | 960 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $46,920 | −7% | $31,550 | $60,170 | 3,490 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $46,910 | −7% | $36,270 | $57,310 | 130 |
| 41 | Iowa | $46,110 | −8% | $37,420 | $83,480 | 1,010 |
| 42 | New Jersey | $45,950 | −9% | $35,330 | $62,920 | 3,210 |
| 43 | Kansas | $45,840 | −9% | $35,920 | $55,360 | 420 |
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.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary questions
Which state pays paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders the most?
Oklahoma, with a median of $63,640 a year (+27% vs. the national median of $50,270). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders the least?
Kansas, with a median of $45,840 a year (−9% vs. national).
Where do most paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders work?
Wisconsin has the most jobs, about 8,510, with a median of $58,050.
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.