Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Salem, OR
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $39,920 a year ($19.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,480 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $41,590. Pay here is 10% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $44,530. There are 0.56 food cooking machine operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food cooking machine operators and tenders in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,160 | $17.87 |
| 25th percentile | $39,920 | $19.19 |
| Median | $39,920 | $19.19 |
| 75th percentile | $46,610 | $22.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,480 | $23.79 |
| Average (mean) | $42,400 | $20.38 |
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 | $3,326.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,663.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,535.38 |
| Weekly | $767.69 |
| Hourly | $19.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $45,260 | 300 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Batchmaker | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Baker | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,590 | $19.03 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $62,220 | $29.92 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,290 | $22.73 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $45,310 | $21.78 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $38,200 | $18.37 |
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for food cooking machine operators and tenders in the Salem, OR metro area is $39,920 a year, or $19.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food cooking machine operators and tenders make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of food cooking machine operators and tenders in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $49,480 a year. The top 25% earn $46,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for food cooking machine operators and tenders in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,160 a year, and a quarter of food cooking machine operators and tenders earn $39,920 or less.
How many food cooking machine operators and tenders work in Salem, OR?
About 110 food cooking machine operators and tenders are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.