Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders (SOC 51-9111) employed 379,060 people in May 2025. The median pay is $43,220 a year ($20.78 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,390 and the highest-paid 10% more than $60,030. BLS projects its employment to change by +4.1% between 2025 and 2035 (about 41,400 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest median pay: New Hampshire ($49,450), Wyoming ($48,890), Missouri ($48,070). Most jobs: California (43,430), Illinois (29,400), Texas (22,970).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,390 | $16.05 |
| 25th percentile | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Median | $43,220 | $20.78 |
| Mean | $44,590 | $21.44 |
| 75th percentile | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $60,030 | $28.86 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 377,700 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 393,300 |
| Change in jobs | 15,600 |
| Percent change | +4.1% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 41,400 |
| Self-employed share | 0.2% |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3,240 | 0.63 | $37,820 | $28,210 | $54,770 | -12% | 34% |
| Alaska | 260 | 0.33 | $38,730 | $33,010 | $60,130 | -10% | 45% |
| Arizona | 7,090 | 0.90 | $40,560 | $35,360 | $60,770 | -6% | 49% |
| Arkansas | 4,630 | 1.46 | $37,740 | $31,170 | $49,270 | -13% | 31% |
| California | 43,430 | 0.98 | $44,020 | $35,750 | $61,780 | +2% | 57% |
| Colorado | 4,760 | 0.68 | $46,010 | $35,270 | $73,980 | +6% | 48% |
| Connecticut | 1,540 | 0.37 | $39,460 | $35,060 | $61,150 | -9% | 47% |
| Delaware | 680 | 0.58 | $38,500 | $36,800 | $51,710 | -11% | 48% |
| Florida | 14,010 | 0.58 | $37,170 | $29,040 | $50,800 | -14% | 58% |
| Georgia | 11,380 | 0.95 | $42,920 | $30,020 | $62,150 | -1% | 42% |
| Hawaii | 380 | 0.25 | $36,810 | $30,200 | $46,060 | -15% | 63% |
| Idaho | 3,950 | 1.89 | $46,720 | $35,250 | $60,330 | +8% | 36% |
| Illinois | 29,400 | 1.98 | $43,150 | $34,880 | $60,050 | -0% | 37% |
| Indiana | 12,880 | 1.65 | $44,600 | $33,330 | $59,070 | +3% | 30% |
| Iowa | 6,990 | 1.84 | $45,660 | $37,040 | $63,230 | +6% | 26% |
| Kansas | 7,920 | 2.26 | $44,890 | $31,150 | $57,740 | +4% | 29% |
| Kentucky | 8,640 | 1.77 | $45,450 | $35,250 | $61,250 | +5% | 26% |
| Louisiana | 1,910 | 0.41 | $38,370 | $25,370 | $55,640 | -11% | 33% |
| Maine | 1,490 | 0.95 | $47,970 | $36,560 | $58,750 | +11% | 30% |
| Maryland | 3,030 | 0.45 | $43,670 | $35,270 | $69,620 | +1% | 47% |
| Massachusetts | 5,020 | 0.57 | $40,360 | $33,550 | $55,470 | -7% | 55% |
| Michigan | 10,940 | 1.02 | $41,690 | $31,890 | $59,370 | -4% | 34% |
| Minnesota | 7,340 | 1.02 | $40,960 | $36,280 | $55,420 | -5% | 38% |
| Mississippi | 3,030 | 1.07 | $37,720 | $27,320 | $46,960 | -13% | 31% |
| Missouri | 12,620 | 1.76 | $48,070 | $36,180 | $61,310 | +11% | 27% |
| Montana | 380 | 0.31 | $44,350 | $29,760 | $60,220 | +3% | 32% |
| Nebraska | 4,410 | 1.77 | $46,220 | $35,450 | $59,560 | +7% | 29% |
| Nevada | 2,700 | 0.71 | $37,440 | $27,290 | $57,500 | -13% | 55% |
| New Hampshire | 620 | 0.37 | $49,450 | $39,580 | $81,870 | +14% | 38% |
| New Jersey | 9,810 | 0.94 | $40,280 | $32,230 | $59,800 | -7% | 54% |
| New Mexico | 1,550 | 0.73 | $35,640 | $30,480 | $47,280 | -18% | 38% |
| New York | 18,150 | 0.77 | $39,330 | $34,200 | $59,540 | -9% | 50% |
| North Carolina | 11,870 | 0.98 | $41,150 | $31,140 | $59,220 | -5% | 39% |
| North Dakota | 760 | 0.73 | $47,390 | $38,710 | $58,620 | +10% | 25% |
| Ohio | 17,850 | 1.32 | $43,310 | $33,780 | $61,180 | +0% | 30% |
| Oklahoma | 3,150 | 0.76 | $39,310 | $31,180 | $48,710 | -9% | 32% |
| Oregon | 5,370 | 1.12 | $45,180 | $35,730 | $59,740 | +5% | 42% |
| Pennsylvania | 19,340 | 1.31 | $44,480 | $31,780 | $62,050 | +3% | 34% |
| Rhode Island | 1,100 | 0.90 | $38,330 | $32,770 | $79,220 | -11% | 44% |
| South Carolina | 4,890 | 0.87 | $40,010 | $32,880 | $51,080 | -7% | 38% |
| South Dakota | 1,000 | 0.90 | $43,860 | $33,440 | $47,850 | +1% | 27% |
| Tennessee | 7,400 | 0.93 | $43,190 | $33,050 | $62,810 | -0% | 36% |
| Texas | 22,970 | 0.67 | $38,950 | $28,990 | $57,190 | -10% | 45% |
| Utah | 6,350 | 1.50 | $43,780 | $35,040 | $60,030 | +1% | 44% |
| Vermont | 880 | 1.18 | $46,670 | $36,700 | $57,330 | +8% | 34% |
| Virginia | 6,150 | 0.61 | $44,950 | $31,880 | $63,420 | +4% | 44% |
| Washington | 8,450 | 0.98 | $41,700 | $36,310 | $57,250 | -4% | 52% |
| West Virginia | 810 | 0.47 | $46,410 | $35,830 | $58,120 | +7% | 23% |
| Wisconsin | 16,150 | 2.25 | $46,220 | $35,760 | $57,490 | +7% | 30% |
| Wyoming | 360 | 0.53 | $48,890 | $32,210 | $64,130 | +13% | 24% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 670 | $79,800 | $40,750 | $79,800 | 1.62 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 1,080 | $67,700 | $37,940 | $81,160 | 3.19 |
| Owensboro, KY | 980 | $61,250 | $42,320 | $64,300 | 8.13 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 330 | $60,340 | $35,760 | $62,630 | 1.58 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 320 | $51,980 | $40,120 | $58,630 | 2.78 |
| Twin Falls, ID | 950 | $51,430 | $36,620 | $61,210 | 7.79 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 850 | $51,100 | $36,770 | $60,090 | 0.86 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 1,120 | $50,930 | $39,330 | $58,640 | 8.46 |
| Napa, CA | 960 | $50,850 | $38,870 | $66,640 | 5.05 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 630 | $50,260 | $32,660 | $65,330 | 0.75 |
| Battle Creek, MI | 390 | $49,910 | $37,240 | $75,860 | 2.96 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 1,110 | $49,880 | $32,800 | $79,320 | 1.25 |
| Lancaster, PA | 1,320 | $49,680 | $37,530 | $73,780 | 2.15 |
| Greeley, CO | 630 | $49,560 | $35,430 | $49,560 | 2.16 |
| Modesto, CA | 1,610 | $49,460 | $36,040 | $71,980 | 3.38 |
| Springfield, MO | 930 | $49,250 | $35,940 | $60,170 | 1.71 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 510 | $48,800 | $37,350 | $59,870 | 1.73 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 2,410 | $48,590 | $36,340 | $59,280 | 1.44 |
| Grand Island, NE | 410 | $48,510 | $38,570 | $57,350 | 4.30 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 820 | $48,480 | $28,410 | $61,730 | 0.45 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 590 | $48,360 | $37,700 | $58,750 | 0.84 |
| Chambersburg, PA | 490 | $48,260 | $37,040 | $50,230 | 3.33 |
| Columbia, MO | 430 | $48,070 | $38,600 | $54,980 | 1.65 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | 540 | $47,980 | $36,380 | $49,720 | 5.35 |
| Toledo, OH | 770 | $47,970 | $35,350 | $64,740 | 1.08 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 680 | $47,950 | $32,950 | $62,030 | 0.62 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 3,500 | $47,530 | $30,360 | $64,570 | 1.31 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 4,910 | $47,460 | $34,730 | $67,190 | 1.50 |
| Madison, WI | 1,490 | $47,430 | $38,260 | $59,530 | 1.49 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 1,210 | $47,160 | $37,370 | $60,750 | 2.70 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 480 | $47,140 | $38,380 | $58,620 | 1.65 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 910 | $47,120 | $35,760 | $54,050 | 6.12 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | 1,280 | $47,040 | $40,300 | $59,960 | 6.03 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,130 | $46,780 | $36,750 | $67,550 | 0.43 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 380 | $46,550 | $30,150 | $57,800 | 0.67 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 520 | $46,450 | $36,640 | $62,390 | 3.07 |
| Bowling Green, KY | 480 | $46,330 | $40,170 | $55,510 | 2.38 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 3,510 | $46,310 | $38,070 | $64,510 | 0.61 |
| Vallejo, CA | 710 | $46,310 | $37,690 | $62,190 | 2.02 |
| Green Bay, WI | 2,110 | $46,220 | $38,000 | $57,490 | 4.96 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 600 | $46,150 | $31,200 | $65,430 | 3.79 |
| Wausau, WI | 620 | $46,030 | $37,430 | $57,510 | 3.63 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 510 | $46,020 | $34,930 | $46,730 | 6.53 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 2,190 | $45,980 | $34,580 | $55,980 | 1.09 |
| Boise City, ID | 1,210 | $45,930 | $33,790 | $60,540 | 1.27 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 300 | $45,900 | $37,290 | $65,660 | 2.55 |
| Kenosha, WI | 520 | $45,900 | $32,270 | $48,470 | 2.85 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 340 | $45,890 | $36,980 | $48,700 | 1.63 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | 470 | $45,750 | $36,130 | $56,890 | 2.50 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,260 | $45,740 | $39,140 | $64,820 | 0.46 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 2,130 | $45,730 | $35,170 | $60,180 | 0.54 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 1,380 | $45,680 | $35,630 | $68,480 | 1.68 |
| Appleton, WI | 960 | $45,660 | $36,690 | $57,560 | 3.18 |
| Columbus, OH | 2,930 | $45,600 | $35,360 | $79,530 | 1.09 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 4,770 | $45,570 | $33,810 | $63,110 | 1.78 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 380 | $45,510 | $29,340 | $53,520 | 0.54 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 1,640 | $45,500 | $35,570 | $62,080 | 2.32 |
| Kankakee, IL | 800 | $45,480 | $37,730 | $57,560 | 7.77 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 2,180 | $45,460 | $29,090 | $65,590 | 2.37 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 2,870 | $45,440 | $36,630 | $63,530 | 0.97 |
The median is $43,220 a year ($20.78 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $33,390 and the highest-paid tenth over $60,030 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
379,060 in May 2025, and BLS projects +4.1% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS).
New Hampshire, with a median of $49,450 (among states with published figures).