Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Decatur, AL
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in the Decatur, AL metro area earn a median of $45,050 a year ($21.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,020 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $50,270. Pay here is 14% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $52,290. There are 1.2 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,700, close to the median.
Pay range for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Decatur, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| 25th percentile | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| Median | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| 75th percentile | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| Average (mean) | $44,700 | $21.49 |
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 | $3,754.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,877.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,732.69 |
| Weekly | $866.35 |
| Hourly | $21.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,050 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, AL | $50,120 | 190 |
| Birmingham, AL | $48,450 | 60 |
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 or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Decatur, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $82,170 | $39.51 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,240 | $21.75 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $58,270 | $28.01 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,660 | $18.11 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $56,160 | $27.00 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.74 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,120 | $20.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $84,270 | $40.51 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $56,990 | $27.40 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $30,330 | $14.58 |
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 Decatur, AL?
The median salary for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in the Decatur, AL metro area is $45,050 a year, or $21.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Decatur, AL?
The top 10% of paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in the Decatur, AL metro area earn at least $51,020 a year. The top 25% earn $51,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Decatur, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,380 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 Decatur, AL?
About 70 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders are employed in the Decatur, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.