Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Fort Smith, AR-OK

Median annual salary $41,830 -15.3% vs national
Median hourly $20.11
10th percentile $34,820
90th percentile $50,470
Employed locally 230
National median $49,390

Compare Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Fort Smith, AR-OK stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
in
Fort Smith, AR-OK
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,820
    25th
    $34,820
    50th (median)
    $41,830
    75th
    $45,520
    90th
    $50,470

    Fort Smith economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $56,717 2023 • Census ACS
    Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary vs area income 74% Median Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary is 26% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Cedar Rapids, IA $80,910
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $75,790
    Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area $66,750
    Longview-Kelso, WA $66,600
    Pittsfield, MA $65,190
    Terre Haute, IN $65,110

    Nearby metros — Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Cedar Rapids, IA $80,910
    Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area $66,750
    South Georgia nonmetropolitan area $63,910
    Northeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area $62,710
    Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area $62,690
    Northeastern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area $61,680

    Related occupations in Fort Smith, AR-OK

    OccupationMedian salary
    Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$36,160
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$35,150
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$57,840
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$38,350
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$41,730
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$45,450

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make per hour in Fort Smith?

    The median hourly wage for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $20.11, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.27 or more per hour.

    Is Fort Smith above or below average for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salaries?

    The median Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK is 15.3% below the national median of $49,390. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Fort Smith?

    Entry-level Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $34,820 per year in Fort Smith, AR-OK. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,820.