Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Rapid City, SD
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $32,950 a year ($15.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,000 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $43,220. Pay here is 25% lower than the South Dakota statewide median of $43,860. There are 0.49 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.20). The average (mean) salary is $34,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,740 | $15.26 |
| 25th percentile | $32,950 | $15.84 |
| Median | $32,950 | $15.84 |
| 75th percentile | $33,640 | $16.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,000 | $19.23 |
| Average (mean) | $34,350 | $16.51 |
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 | $2,745.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,372.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,267.31 |
| Weekly | $633.65 |
| Hourly | $15.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $32,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $44,350 | 330 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $43,700 | 810 |
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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,850 | $22.53 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,970 | $18.74 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,310 | $23.22 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $37,180 | $17.87 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $30,880 | $14.85 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,690 | $24.85 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,290 | $33.79 |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $40,760 | $19.60 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $32,950 a year, or $15.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $40,000 a year. The top 25% earn $33,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,740 a year, and a quarter of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders earn $32,950 or less.
How many packaging and filling machine operators and tenders work in Rapid City, SD?
About 40 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.