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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
The data below covers the full spectrum — from six-figure metros to markets where the math is tighter. The national median salary for Packaging Machine Operators in 2026 is $43,064, with entry-level positions averaging $31,006 and senior roles reaching $61,151. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Sunnyvale pays a median of $78,440, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
Packaging Machine Operator falls within the Production & Manufacturing sector, specifically in Production. The typical education path involves High school diploma. The career outlook? Steady. Work style is factory — which means location flexibility varies, and so does the premium different markets are willing to pay. In the right market, this is a six-figure career path.
$47,730 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A Packaging Machine Operator in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $78,440 — $47,730 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($30,710). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. Cost-adjusted, this occupation outearns its reputation.
Breaking down the numbers: entry-level Packaging Machine Operators average $31,006, the median sits at $43,064, and senior earners pull in $61,151. That $30,145 gap represents the full earning trajectory of this career. The median is $37,303 below the national median household income of $80,367 — which tells you location and cost of living are critical factors in making this salary work.
Compare the extremes: the highest-paying trio of cities (Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Irvine) averages $73,260, while the lowest-paying trio (Toledo, Detroit, Akron) averages $30,957. The $42,303 difference is the kind of number that reshapes career strategy — assuming the cost of living cooperates.
A Packaging Machine Operator in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $78,440 — $47,730 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($30,710). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $31,006 | $43,064 | $61,151 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £16,113 | £22,379 | £31,777 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$25,517 | CA$35,440 | CA$50,325 |
| Australia | 13 | A$30,363 | A$42,170 | A$59,882 |
| Sweden | 24 | 181,630 kr | 252,264 kr | 358,215 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 61 | $37,423 | $51,976 | $73,806 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $36,164 | $50,228 | $71,323 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $35,964 | $49,950 | $70,929 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $33,300 | $46,250 | $65,675 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $32,900 | $45,695 | $64,887 |
| Washington | 8 | $32,268 | $44,816 | $63,639 |
| New York | 5 | $30,369 | $42,180 | $59,895 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $30,370 | $42,180 | $59,896 |
| Florida | 22 | $30,140 | $41,860 | $59,442 |
| Colorado | 11 | $29,619 | $41,137 | $58,415 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $29,570 | $41,070 | $58,319 |
| Nevada | 5 | $29,517 | $40,996 | $58,214 |
| Arizona | 12 | $29,371 | $40,793 | $57,925 |
| Oregon | 5 | $29,304 | $40,700 | $57,794 |
| Idaho | 3 | $29,215 | $40,577 | $57,619 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $28,984 | $40,256 | $57,164 |
| Utah | 4 | $28,904 | $40,145 | $57,006 |
| Virginia | 7 | $28,429 | $39,484 | $56,068 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $28,061 | $38,973 | $55,342 |
| Alaska | 1 | $27,972 | $38,850 | $55,167 |
| Illinois | 5 | $27,652 | $38,406 | $54,536 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $26,966 | $37,452 | $53,182 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $26,640 | $37,000 | $52,540 |
| Montana | 1 | $26,640 | $37,000 | $52,540 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $26,551 | $36,877 | $52,365 |
| Texas | 40 | $26,420 | $36,695 | $52,107 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $26,374 | $36,630 | $52,015 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $26,241 | $36,445 | $51,752 |
| Georgia | 6 | $26,152 | $36,322 | $51,577 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $26,107 | $36,260 | $51,489 |
| Kansas | 4 | $25,974 | $36,075 | $51,227 |
| Michigan | 6 | $25,885 | $35,952 | $51,051 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $25,575 | $35,520 | $50,439 |
| Maryland | 1 | $25,574 | $35,520 | $50,438 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $25,308 | $35,150 | $49,913 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $25,308 | $35,150 | $49,913 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $24,642 | $34,225 | $48,600 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $24,509 | $34,040 | $48,337 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $24,176 | $33,578 | $47,680 |
| Missouri | 4 | $24,176 | $33,578 | $47,680 |
| Alabama | 5 | $24,083 | $33,448 | $47,496 |
| Indiana | 3 | $23,710 | $32,930 | $46,761 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $23,710 | $32,930 | $46,761 |
| Iowa | 2 | $23,443 | $32,560 | $46,235 |
| Ohio | 6 | $23,399 | $32,498 | $46,148 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $22,378 | $31,080 | $44,134 |
The state salary map for Packaging Machine Operators: California at $51,976, Massachusetts at $50,228, Hawaii at $49,950 lead the pack. The bottom tier — Mississippi ($31,080), Ohio ($32,498), Iowa ($32,560) — shows how regional economics reshape compensation. Across all 46 states with data, the state-level spread alone is $20,896.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($78,440 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $37,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale California | $78,440 | 212 | $37,000 | $49,697 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $73,260 | 198 | $37,000 | $46,742 |
| 3 | Irvine California | $68,080 | 184 | $37,000 | $43,787 |
| 4 | San Francisco California | $66,970 | 181 | $37,000 | $43,153 |
| 5 | Carlsbad California | $65,860 | 178 | $37,000 | $42,520 |
| 6 | San Jose California | $65,490 | 177 | $37,000 | $42,309 |
| 7 | Fremont California | $65,490 | 177 | $37,000 | $42,309 |
| 8 | Berkeley California | $64,010 | 173 | $37,000 | $41,465 |
| 9 | Costa Mesa California | $64,010 | 173 | $37,000 | $41,465 |
| 10 | Huntington Beach California | $62,530 | 169 | $37,000 | $40,620 |
From a career planning perspective, Packaging Machine Operator offers a $30,145 earning range. The 2.0× progression is steady — not explosive, but reliable. The typical entry requires High school diploma. Day-to-day, expect factory work environments. With data from 288 cities, the geographic flexibility is substantial — this career travels well.
The weighted national median salary for Packaging Machine Operators is $43,064 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $31,006, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $61,151.
The highest-paying city for Packaging Machine Operators is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $78,440. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($78,440), Santa Clara ($73,260), Irvine ($68,080). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median Packaging Machine Operator salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $30,710. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level Packaging Machine Operators (10th percentile) average $31,006 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $56,477. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), Packaging Machine Operators average $61,151 nationally — $30,145 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior Packaging Machine Operators can earn up to $111,385.
The top-paying states for Packaging Machine Operators are California ($51,976 median), Massachusetts ($50,228 median), Hawaii ($49,950 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a Packaging Machine Operator involves High school diploma. The field is in the Production & Manufacturing sector (Production), and the career outlook is steady. Work style is typically factory.
With a national median of $43,064 and representation across 288 metro areas, Packaging Machine Operator offers a foundation that can be strengthened by strategic location choices. The $30,145 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: steady.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.