Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Southwest Missouri

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

Median annual salary $48,750 +20.2% vs national
Median hourly $23.44
10th percentile $39,230
90th percentile $49,990
Employed locally 50
National median $40,550

Compare Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Southwest Missouri stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
in
Southwest Missouri
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,230
    25th
    $47,440
    50th (median)
    $48,750
    75th
    $48,750
    90th
    $49,990

    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 Missouri

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $36,320
    Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers $39,570
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $62,840
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $47,010
    Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $48,840
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $46,690

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Southwest Missouri is $23.44, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.04 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Southwest Missouri is 20.2% 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 Southwest Missouri?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $39,230 per year in Southwest Missouri. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,440.