Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Portland, ME

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-South Portland, ME

Median annual salary $37,160 -8.4% vs national
Median hourly $17.87
10th percentile $32,870
90th percentile $57,760
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
Portland, ME
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $32,870
    25th
    $37,040
    50th (median)
    $37,160
    75th
    $41,090
    90th
    $57,760

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,602 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 42% Median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary is 58% 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
    Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area $62,910
    Central East New York nonmetropolitan area $60,250
    Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area $59,140
    Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area $53,970
    Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area $49,970
    Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area $49,060

    Related occupations in Portland, ME

    OccupationMedian salary
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $79,520
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $44,450
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $64,330
    Machinists $63,150
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $53,020
    Bakers $38,980

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Portland, ME is $17.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.64 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Portland, ME is 8.4% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $32,870 per year in Portland, ME. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,040.