Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Central Pennsylvania

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $43,000 +6% vs national
Median hourly $20.67
10th percentile $33,800
90th percentile $45,200
Employed locally 140
National median $40,550

Compare Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
in
Central Pennsylvania
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,800
    25th
    $37,800
    50th (median)
    $43,000
    75th
    $45,200
    90th
    $45,200

    Top-paying metros for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Modesto, CA $80,310
    Cedar Rapids, IA $63,690
    Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area $62,910
    Central East New York nonmetropolitan area $60,250
    Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area $59,140
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $55,870

    Related occupations in Central Pennsylvania

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $45,980
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $62,450
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $46,090
    Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $46,680
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $44,180
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $48,770

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make per hour in Central Pennsylvania?

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Central Pennsylvania is $20.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.73 or more per hour.

    Is Central Pennsylvania above or below average for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Central Pennsylvania is 6% above the national median of $40,550. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Central Pennsylvania?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $33,800 per year in Central Pennsylvania. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,800.