Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in California
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in California earn a median of $44,020 a year ($21.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 43,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,780 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $43,220. California ranks 20th of 50 states for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders pay. There are 2.4 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| 25th percentile | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Median | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| 75th percentile | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Average (mean) | $46,050 | $22.14 |
Half of packaging and filling 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 | $3,668.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,834.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,693.08 |
| Weekly | $846.54 |
| Hourly | $21.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | $50,850 | 960 |
| Modesto, CA | $49,460 | 1,610 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $46,780 | 1,130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $46,310 | 3,510 |
| Vallejo, CA | $46,310 | 710 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $45,900 | 300 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $45,740 | 1,260 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $45,500 | 1,640 |
| Merced, CA | $45,280 | 620 |
| Chico, CA | $45,130 | 230 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $44,970 | 770 |
| Salinas, CA | $44,660 | 1,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $43,780 | 4,080 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $43,710 | 210 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $43,610 | 390 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $43,470 | 13,990 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $43,310 | 1,270 |
| Visalia, CA | $42,130 | 1,530 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $40,000 | 2,500 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $39,580 | 850 |
| Fresno, CA | $38,440 | 2,360 |
| Yuba City, CA | $38,230 | 100 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $38,040 | 430 |
| Redding, CA | $37,560 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $49,450 |
| Wyoming | $48,890 |
| Missouri | $48,070 |
| Maine | $47,970 |
| North Dakota | $47,390 |
| Idaho | $46,720 |
| Vermont | $46,670 |
| West Virginia | $46,410 |
| Nebraska | $46,220 |
| Wisconsin | $46,220 |
See Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $43,970 | $21.14 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,910 | $25.44 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,950 | $25.46 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,640 | $24.34 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $47,410 | $22.80 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,110 | $22.17 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9111. 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 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in California?
The median salary for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in California is $44,020 a year, or $21.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in California?
The top 10% of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in California earn at least $61,780 a year. The top 25% earn $49,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,750 a year, and a quarter of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders earn $37,690 or less.
How many packaging and filling machine operators and tenders work in California?
About 43,430 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.