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Top 15 cities for this job by average salary
| Modesto, CA | $63,280 |
|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,670 |
| Seattle, WA | $54,550 |
| Boise, ID | $51,170 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $51,070 |
| Denver, CO | $51,020 |
| Sioux City, IA | $49,980 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $49,920 |
| Springfield, MO | $49,850 |
| Stockton, CA | $49,480 |
| Portland, ME | $48,620 |
| Detroit, MI | $48,420 |
| San Francisco, CA | $48,260 |
| Scranton, PA | $48,230 |
| Rochester, NY | $48,110 |
Map: Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary by state
Washington pays food cooking machine operators and tenders the most statewide, $51,220 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $51,220 | $51,100 | 310 | 1 | $54,550 | $54,550 |
| Idaho | $50,040 | $45,120 | 790 | 2 | $51,170 | $47,790 |
| Colorado | $48,680 | $46,900 | 300 | 1 | $51,020 | $51,020 |
| Iowa | $48,370 | $47,900 | 850 | 4 | $61,670 | $46,750 |
| Michigan | $48,070 | $47,260 | 380 | 2 | $48,420 | $47,490 |
| Minnesota | $47,980 | $47,250 | 1,410 | 2 | $49,920 | $46,510 |
| New York | $47,150 | $45,680 | 1,300 | 5 | $51,070 | $43,530 |
| Tennessee | $46,920 | $45,620 | 1,820 | 3 | $47,990 | $45,260 |
| Massachusetts | $46,640 | $47,960 | 170 | 1 | $44,450 | $44,450 |
| California | $45,060 | $44,740 | 2,010 | 9 | $63,280 | $40,540 |
| Nebraska | $45,030 | $45,420 | 670 | 1 | $45,880 | $45,880 |
| Indiana | $44,770 | $43,350 | 540 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Missouri | $44,440 | $42,160 | 620 | 4 | $49,850 | $39,150 |
| Wisconsin | $44,400 | $40,000 | 850 | 4 | $47,520 | $42,040 |
| Oregon | $44,390 | $44,530 | 570 | 2 | $43,830 | $42,400 |
| Kansas | $44,300 | $45,850 | 750 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Utah | $44,290 | $48,620 | 390 | 2 | $42,440 | $40,910 |
| Kentucky | $43,720 | $41,800 | 300 | 1 | $41,970 | $41,970 |
| Louisiana | $43,530 | $44,440 | 550 | 1 | $29,230 | $29,230 |
| Ohio | $43,180 | $41,160 | 980 | 4 | $46,140 | $38,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,850 | $42,710 | 1,580 | 7 | $48,230 | $36,540 |
| Illinois | $42,590 | $42,670 | 2,460 | 1 | $44,010 | $44,010 |
| Arizona | $42,190 | $44,050 | 560 | 1 | $43,710 | $43,710 |
| Arkansas | $42,180 | $40,480 | 330 | 1 | $46,100 | $46,100 |
| Maine | $42,170 | $37,500 | 170 | 1 | $48,620 | $48,620 |
| Connecticut | $42,160 | $38,880 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Hampshire | $40,140 | $40,440 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $39,670 | $38,440 | 690 | 1 | $41,240 | $41,240 |
| South Dakota | $39,480 | $39,270 | 120 | 1 | $43,880 | $43,880 |
| Oklahoma | $39,240 | $36,030 | 1,140 | 2 | $39,140 | $38,940 |
| South Carolina | $39,050 | $38,220 | 520 | 1 | $39,410 | $39,410 |
| Florida | $38,140 | $36,450 | 970 | 5 | $40,750 | $36,560 |
| North Carolina | $38,110 | $39,070 | 770 | 4 | $42,030 | $35,100 |
| Maryland | $37,900 | $36,960 | n/a | 2 | $37,110 | $34,310 |
| New Jersey | $37,880 | $37,180 | 430 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Virginia | $37,650 | $35,140 | 510 | 1 | $37,320 | $37,320 |
| Washington, D.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $37,390 | $37,390 |
| Nevada | $36,790 | $36,610 | n/a | 1 | $36,250 | $36,250 |
| Delaware | $35,620 | $31,240 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | $34,570 | $33,980 | 3,180 | 6 | $35,950 | $28,710 |
| Mississippi | $31,660 | $31,150 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Alabama | $31,310 | $27,080 | 250 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Puerto Rico | $26,150 | $25,480 | 220 | 1 | $26,190 | $26,190 |
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Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CA | $63,280 | $59,010 | $30.42 | 140 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,670 | $63,690 | $29.65 | 40 |
| Seattle, WA | $54,550 | $56,190 | $26.23 | 190 |
| Boise, ID | $51,170 | $45,120 | $24.60 | 360 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $51,070 | $57,680 | $24.55 | 80 |
| Denver, CO | $51,020 | $48,980 | $24.53 | 160 |
| Sioux City, IA | $49,980 | $51,600 | $24.03 | 190 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $49,920 | $48,290 | $24.00 | 230 |
| Springfield, MO | $49,850 | $37,400 | $23.97 | 40 |
| Stockton, CA | $49,480 | $51,560 | $23.79 | 70 |
| Portland, ME | $48,620 | $50,330 | $23.38 | 40 |
| Detroit, MI | $48,420 | $48,230 | $23.28 | 50 |
| San Francisco, CA | $48,260 | $47,220 | $23.20 | 220 |
| Scranton, PA | $48,230 | $57,490 | $23.19 | 110 |
| Rochester, NY | $48,110 | $47,760 | $23.13 | 150 |
| Memphis, TN | $47,990 | $55,270 | $23.07 | 190 |
| Twin Falls, ID | $47,790 | $46,010 | $22.98 | 130 |
| Dubuque, IA | $47,550 | $50,140 | $22.86 | 40 |
| Appleton, WI | $47,520 | $47,920 | $22.84 | 60 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $47,490 | $47,260 | $22.83 | 190 |
| Davenport, IA | $46,750 | $48,460 | $22.48 | 100 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $46,510 | $47,380 | $22.36 | 40 |
| York, PA | $46,300 | $46,350 | $22.26 | 370 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $46,140 | $41,800 | $22.19 | 390 |
| Fayetteville, AR | $46,100 | $44,240 | $22.17 | 30 |
| Knoxville, TN | $46,030 | $41,200 | $22.13 | 210 |
| Omaha, NE | $45,880 | $48,420 | $22.06 | 260 |
| New York, NY | $45,310 | $41,590 | $21.79 | 880 |
| Nashville, TN | $45,260 | $45,340 | $21.76 | 150 |
| Canton, OH | $44,910 | $42,950 | $21.59 | 60 |
| Visalia, CA | $44,870 | $45,880 | $21.57 | 70 |
| Boston, MA | $44,450 | $41,030 | $21.37 | 190 |
| Chicago, IL | $44,010 | $44,280 | $21.16 | 1,900 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $43,880 | $42,860 | $21.10 | 40 |
| Portland, OR | $43,830 | $45,260 | $21.07 | 300 |
| Syracuse, NY | $43,750 | $46,780 | $21.03 | 60 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $43,710 | $49,220 | $21.01 | 460 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $43,570 | $41,070 | $20.95 | n/a |
| Buffalo, NY | $43,530 | $46,410 | $20.93 | 80 |
| Reading, PA | $43,480 | $45,470 | $20.91 | 80 |
| Fresno, CA | $43,090 | $38,430 | $20.71 | 160 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $42,950 | $39,410 | $20.65 | 40 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $42,440 | $48,010 | $20.41 | 70 |
| Salem, OR | $42,400 | $39,920 | $20.38 | 110 |
| Columbus, OH | $42,370 | $40,650 | $20.37 | 90 |
| Riverside, CA | $42,120 | $42,760 | $20.25 | 320 |
| Green Bay, WI | $42,050 | $40,200 | $20.22 | 40 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $42,040 | $39,830 | $20.21 | 30 |
| Charlotte, NC | $42,030 | $42,710 | $20.21 | 160 |
| Louisville, KY | $41,970 | $40,150 | $20.18 | 80 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $41,630 | $39,880 | $20.02 | 90 |
| St. Louis, MO | $41,470 | $38,690 | $19.94 | 230 |
| Sacramento, CA | $41,250 | $36,450 | $19.83 | 130 |
| Atlanta, GA | $41,240 | $40,170 | $19.83 | 270 |
| Provo, UT | $40,910 | $38,060 | $19.67 | 170 |
| Allentown, PA | $40,780 | $40,740 | $19.61 | 80 |
| Lakeland, FL | $40,750 | $39,960 | $19.59 | 80 |
| Vallejo, CA | $40,540 | $38,640 | $19.49 | 50 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $40,250 | $38,890 | $19.35 | 510 |
| Miami, FL | $40,200 | $36,190 | $19.33 | 290 |
| Kansas City, MO | $39,950 | $34,200 | $19.21 | 270 |
| Florence, SC | $39,410 | $38,220 | $18.95 | 260 |
| Joplin, MO | $39,150 | $37,190 | $18.82 | 80 |
| Tulsa, OK | $39,140 | $38,750 | $18.82 | 190 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $38,940 | $38,480 | $18.72 | 140 |
| Cleveland, OH | $38,500 | $39,650 | $18.51 | 100 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $37,800 | $36,890 | $18.18 | 90 |
| Tampa, FL | $37,610 | $35,890 | $18.08 | 160 |
| Washington, DC | $37,390 | $39,790 | $17.98 | 490 |
| Richmond, VA | $37,320 | $38,030 | $17.94 | 80 |
| Baltimore, MD | $37,110 | $36,740 | $17.84 | 520 |
| Orlando, FL | $36,560 | $36,520 | $17.58 | 200 |
| Altoona, PA | $36,540 | $37,530 | $17.57 | 70 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $36,440 | $39,230 | $17.52 | 50 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $36,250 | $36,610 | $17.43 | n/a |
| Dallas, TX | $35,950 | $35,240 | $17.28 | 850 |
| Greensboro, NC | $35,420 | $33,120 | $17.03 | 50 |
| Raleigh, NC | $35,100 | $32,740 | $16.88 | 120 |
| Hagerstown, MD | $34,310 | $33,280 | $16.50 | 50 |
| Houston, TX | $34,100 | $32,180 | $16.40 | 600 |
| Austin, TX | $34,080 | $35,350 | $16.38 | 330 |
| El Paso, TX | $34,020 | $36,120 | $16.36 | 90 |
| San Antonio, TX | $32,720 | $30,340 | $15.73 | 530 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $29,230 | $23,600 | $14.05 | 50 |
| McAllen, TX | $28,710 | $26,950 | $13.80 | 30 |
| San Juan, PR | $26,190 | $25,480 | $12.59 | 210 |
Related jobs
- BakersU.S. average $38,480
- Butchers and Meat CuttersU.S. average $42,380
- Food Processing Workers, All OtherU.S. average $40,300
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and TrimmersU.S. average $39,280
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and TendersU.S. average $45,930
- Food BatchmakersU.S. average $43,750
- Slaughterers and Meat PackersU.S. average $41,770
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Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary: questions
Where do food cooking machine operators and tenders make the most money?
In Modesto, CA, with an average of $63,280 a year, among the 86 metro areas we cover.
What is the average food cooking machine operators and tenders salary in the U.S.?
$42,570 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $41,590, so half of food cooking machine operators and tenders earn more than that and half less.
What salary should food cooking machine operators and tenders ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of food cooking machine operators and tenders nationwide earn between $36,190 (25th percentile) and $47,380 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays food cooking machine operators and tenders the most?
Washington, with a statewide average of $51,220 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is food cooking machine operators and tenders pay the lowest?
San Juan, PR, at $26,190 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-3093.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.