Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Southwest Minnesota

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $40,390 -0.4% vs national
Median hourly $19.42
10th percentile $30,110
90th percentile $55,910
Employed locally 40
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
Southwest Minnesota
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,110
    25th
    $33,020
    50th (median)
    $40,390
    75th
    $44,270
    90th
    $55,910

    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 Southwest Minnesota

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $42,220
    Slaughterers and Meat Packers $43,760
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $58,410
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $74,890
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $47,040
    Machinists $50,280

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Southwest Minnesota is $19.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.91 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Southwest Minnesota is 0.4% 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 Southwest Minnesota?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $30,110 per year in Southwest Minnesota. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,020.