Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Tampa, FL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

Median annual salary $33,560 -17.2% vs national
Median hourly $16.14
10th percentile $32,700
90th percentile $45,430
Employed locally 120
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
Tampa, FL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $32,700
    25th
    $32,700
    50th (median)
    $33,560
    75th
    $38,770
    90th
    $45,430

    Tampa economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,254 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 47% Median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary is 53% 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
    Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL $43,990
    Florence, SC $36,980
    Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL $35,320
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $34,570
    Florida $33,280
    Jacksonville, FL $33,280

    Related occupations in Tampa, FL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$37,210
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$62,510
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$45,710
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$36,660
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$36,960
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$48,790

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Tampa, FL is $16.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.55 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Tampa, FL is 17.2% 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 Tampa?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $32,700 per year in Tampa, FL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $32,700.