Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Columbus, IN
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in the Columbus, IN metro area earn a median of $44,620 a year ($21.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,350 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $43,220. Pay here is about the same as the Indiana statewide median of $44,600. There are 3.9 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,150, close to the median.
Pay range for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Columbus, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,300 | $16.49 |
| 25th percentile | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| Median | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| 75th percentile | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,350 | $23.24 |
| Average (mean) | $43,150 | $20.75 |
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 | $3,718.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,859.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,716.15 |
| Weekly | $858.08 |
| Hourly | $21.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,620 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $48,590 | 2,410 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $45,570 | 4,770 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $45,290 | 3,470 |
| Evansville, IN | $45,100 | 1,070 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $44,920 | 220 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $43,990 | 870 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $43,310 | 250 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $43,290 | 21,830 |
| Bloomington, IN | $42,790 | 460 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $42,050 | 230 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $38,510 | 440 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $37,790 | 390 |
| Muncie, IN | $35,260 | 60 |
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 or the Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $39,300 | $18.89 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $42,210 | $20.29 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $41,890 | $20.14 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $57,770 | $27.78 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Machinist | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,640 | $36.37 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,320 | $23.71 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $38,280 | $18.40 |
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 Columbus, IN?
The median salary for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the Columbus, IN metro area is $44,620 a year, or $21.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Columbus, IN?
The top 10% of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the Columbus, IN metro area earn at least $48,350 a year. The top 25% earn $47,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Columbus, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,300 a year, and a quarter of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders earn $36,460 or less.
How many packaging and filling machine operators and tenders work in Columbus, IN?
About 190 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders are employed in the Columbus, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.