Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Lakeland, FL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

Median annual salary $43,990 +8.5% vs national
Median hourly $21.15
10th percentile $31,550
90th percentile $54,840
Employed locally 70
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
Lakeland, FL
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,550
    25th
    $34,000
    50th (median)
    $43,990
    75th
    $51,280
    90th
    $54,840

    Lakeland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $63,644 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 69% Median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary is 31% 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
    Florence, SC $36,980
    Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $35,320
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $34,570
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $33,560
    Florida $33,280
    Jacksonville, FL $33,280

    Related occupations in Lakeland, FL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $38,100
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $37,940
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $63,210
    Production Workers, All Other $35,470
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $47,940
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $43,780

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Lakeland, FL is $21.15, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.34 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Lakeland, FL is 8.5% 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 Lakeland?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $31,550 per year in Lakeland, FL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,000.