Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Tucson, AZ

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Tucson, AZ

Median annual salary $31,200 -23.1% vs national
Median hourly $15.00
10th percentile $30,570
90th percentile $36,540
Employed locally 80
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
Tucson, AZ
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,570
    25th
    $31,200
    50th (median)
    $31,200
    75th
    $32,290
    90th
    $36,540

    Tucson economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,929 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 46% Median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary is 54% 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
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $38,530

    Related occupations in Tucson, AZ

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $39,890
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $57,210
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $64,930
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $51,410
    Machinists $58,380
    Bakers $36,680

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Tucson, AZ is $15.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.57 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Tucson, AZ is 23.1% 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 Tucson?

    Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $30,570 per year in Tucson, AZ. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,200.