Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $40,560 a year ($19.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,790 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $43,220. Pay here is 7% higher than the Arkansas statewide median of $37,740. There are 5.3 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,780 | $14.80 |
| 25th percentile | $35,390 | $17.02 |
| Median | $40,560 | $19.50 |
| 75th percentile | $47,140 | $22.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Average (mean) | $41,270 | $19.84 |
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 | $3,380 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,690 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,560 |
| Weekly | $780 |
| Hourly | $19.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $42,570 | 1,580 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $41,320 | 450 |
| Tulsa, OK | $40,750 | 820 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $38,730 | 1,000 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $38,600 | 1,030 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $37,290 | 820 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $34,880 | 130 |
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 Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $41,440 | $19.92 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $56,520 | $27.17 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,960 | $21.61 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $41,910 | $20.15 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $40,820 | $19.62 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,380 | $21.82 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $36,930 | $17.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $62,260 | $29.93 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $40,560 a year, or $19.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $50,790 a year. The top 25% earn $47,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,780 a year, and a quarter of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders earn $35,390 or less.
How many packaging and filling machine operators and tenders work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 510 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.