Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $31,100 -23.3% vs national
Median hourly $14.95
10th percentile $29,180
90th percentile $44,770
Employed locally 340
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
Houston, TX
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,180
    25th
    $29,670
    50th (median)
    $31,100
    75th
    $38,320
    90th
    $44,770

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 39% Median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary is 61% below the area median household income

    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

    Nearby metros — Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $37,030
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $35,420
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $30,940
    El Paso, TX $27,880
    McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX $26,950

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $36,560
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $53,810
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $43,810
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $72,530
    Machinists $58,630
    Helpers--Production Workers $35,990

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Houston, TX is $14.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.99 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Houston, TX is 23.3% below 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $29,180 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,670.