Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Columbus, OH
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $40,650 a year ($19.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,800 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $41,590. Pay here is 1% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $41,160. There are 0.08 food cooking machine operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40). The average (mean) salary is $42,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food cooking machine operators and tenders in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| 25th percentile | $40,650 | $19.54 |
| Median | $40,650 | $19.54 |
| 75th percentile | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Average (mean) | $42,370 | $20.37 |
Half of food cooking machine operators and tenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,387.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,693.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,563.46 |
| Weekly | $781.73 |
| Hourly | $19.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,650 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $42,950 | 60 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $41,800 | 390 |
| Cleveland, OH | $39,650 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for food cooking machine operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $51,100 |
| Utah | $48,620 |
| Massachusetts | $47,960 |
| Iowa | $47,900 |
| Michigan | $47,260 |
| Minnesota | $47,250 |
| Colorado | $46,900 |
| Kansas | $45,850 |
| New York | $45,680 |
| Tennessee | $45,620 |
See Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Baker | $36,430 | $17.52 |
| Food Batchmaker | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $39,890 | $19.18 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,540 | $22.37 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,090 | $35.62 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,260 | $24.64 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $60,260 | $28.97 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-3093. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food cooking machine operators and tenders make in Columbus, OH?
The median salary for food cooking machine operators and tenders in the Columbus, OH metro area is $40,650 a year, or $19.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food cooking machine operators and tenders make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of food cooking machine operators and tenders in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $45,800 a year. The top 25% earn $45,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for food cooking machine operators and tenders in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,740 a year, and a quarter of food cooking machine operators and tenders earn $40,650 or less.
How many food cooking machine operators and tenders work in Columbus, OH?
About 90 food cooking machine operators and tenders are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.