Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Alabama
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Alabama earn a median of $52,290 a year ($25.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,660 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $50,270. Alabama ranks 14th of 43 states for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders pay. There are 1.8 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| 25th percentile | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| Median | $52,290 | $25.14 |
| 75th percentile | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| Average (mean) | $55,280 | $26.58 |
Half of paper goods machine setters, 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 | $4,357.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,178.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,011.15 |
| Weekly | $1,005.58 |
| Hourly | $25.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL | $50,120 | 190 |
| Birmingham, AL | $48,450 | 60 |
| Decatur, AL | $45,050 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $63,640 |
| Maine | $61,780 |
| Utah | $60,790 |
| Washington | $59,410 |
| Louisiana | $58,230 |
| Minnesota | $58,150 |
| Kentucky | $58,050 |
| Wisconsin | $58,050 |
| Idaho | $57,950 |
| Oregon | $56,810 |
See Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay in every state.
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $35,910 | $17.26 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,820 | $18.18 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $52,380 | $25.19 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,050 | $22.14 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,920 | $24.96 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $39,740 | $19.10 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9196. 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 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Alabama?
The median salary for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Alabama is $52,290 a year, or $25.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Alabama?
The top 10% of paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Alabama earn at least $79,660 a year. The top 25% earn $64,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,670 a year, and a quarter of paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders earn $38,380 or less.
How many paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders work in Alabama?
About 3,800 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.