Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $41,750 +2.1% vs national
Median hourly $20.07
10th percentile $36,250
90th percentile $49,910
Employed locally 420
National median $40,900

Compare Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
in
Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,250
    25th
    $39,680
    50th (median)
    $41,750
    75th
    $46,970
    90th
    $49,910

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 38% Median Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary is 62% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $79,300
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $77,290
    Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $65,840
    Cedar Rapids, IA $65,570
    Harrisonburg, VA $63,370
    Williamsport, PA $62,930

    Nearby metros — Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Decatur, IL $59,160
    Modesto, CA $56,990
    Carson City, NV $49,920
    Napa, CA $49,130
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $48,360
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $47,140

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$45,660
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$70,680
    Bakers$38,330
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$50,570
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$48,830
    Butchers and Meat Cutters$41,060

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Santa Cruz, CA is $20.07, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.58 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 2.1% above the national median of $40,900. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $36,250 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,680.