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Baler operator salary
Average baler operator salary
$15.68
Average Baler Operator Salary
The average salary for a baler operator in the U.S. is about $32,608 per year, translating to roughly $16 per hour. Factors such as experience level, geographical location, and the specific industry can significantly influence these figures. For instance, those with more years in the field often earn salaries that exceed the average.
Compensation by Experience
Baler operators with entry-level positions may start from around $28,000, while seasoned professionals can earn upwards of $40,000 annually. This wage variation underscores the importance of skill development and career advancement in this field.
Geographical Insights
In states like California and Texas, baler operators tend to earn higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for skilled labor. Understanding these dynamics can guide prospective operators in their job search and career planning.
Job Opportunities
There are numerous opportunities for baler operators across sectors including recycling, manufacturing, and logistics. Exploring job postings on platforms like Zippia can provide valuable insights into the job market and help you find positions that align with your career goals.
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Where can a Baler Operator earn more?
Baler operator salaries by experience level
Baler operator salary estimates from across the web
Average baler operator salary by state
The average baler operator salary in North Dakota, Alaska, and Colorado are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average baler operator salary states are Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for baler operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $40,223 | $19.34 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $35,875 | $17.25 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $43,352 | $20.84 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $36,566 | $17.58 |
| 5 | Nebraska | $36,671 | $17.63 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $34,940 | $16.80 |
| 7 | Iowa | $34,989 | $16.82 |
| 8 | Indiana | $33,896 | $16.30 |
| 9 | North Carolina | $34,425 | $16.55 |
| 10 | Washington | $38,355 | $18.44 |
| 11 | Colorado | $39,127 | $18.81 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $34,341 | $16.51 |
| 13 | New York | $38,976 | $18.74 |
| 14 | Maine | $34,551 | $16.61 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $36,868 | $17.73 |
| 16 | Hawaii | $36,176 | $17.39 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $35,383 | $17.01 |
| 18 | South Dakota | $33,911 | $16.30 |
| 19 | Arizona | $34,217 | $16.45 |
| 20 | New Jersey | $34,131 | $16.41 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $32,502 | $15.63 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $32,844 | $15.79 |
| 23 | Nevada | $33,593 | $16.15 |
| 24 | Utah | $32,960 | $15.85 |
| 25 | Maryland | $37,163 | $17.87 |
| 26 | Ohio | $31,923 | $15.35 |
| 27 | Connecticut | $34,206 | $16.45 |
| 28 | Illinois | $33,252 | $15.99 |
| 29 | Kansas | $31,902 | $15.34 |
| 30 | Missouri | $32,751 | $15.75 |
| 31 | Delaware | $33,606 | $16.16 |
| 32 | Oregon | $33,951 | $16.32 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $30,528 | $14.68 |
| 34 | Montana | $33,636 | $16.17 |
| 35 | Georgia | $31,165 | $14.98 |
| 36 | California | $33,313 | $16.02 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $31,163 | $14.98 |
| 38 | Vermont | $31,675 | $15.23 |
| 39 | West Virginia | $30,923 | $14.87 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $29,046 | $13.96 |
| 41 | Michigan | $30,104 | $14.47 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $30,017 | $14.43 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $31,832 | $15.30 |
| 44 | Florida | $31,004 | $14.91 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $29,022 | $13.95 |
| 46 | Idaho | $30,516 | $14.67 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $30,000 | $14.42 |
| 48 | Alabama | $29,068 | $13.97 |
| 49 | Virginia | $30,373 | $14.60 |
| 50 | Texas | $27,894 | $13.41 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $29,139 | $14.01 |
Highest paying cities for baler operators
The highest-paying cities for baler operators are Aurora, CO, Taunton, MA, and Reading, PA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aurora, CO | $39,158 | $18.83 |
| 2 | Taunton, MA | $36,525 | $17.56 |
| 3 | Reading, PA | $34,998 | $16.83 |
| 4 | Greensboro, NC | $34,501 | $16.59 |
| 5 | Fairfield, CA | $33,953 | $16.32 |
| 6 | Billings, MT | $33,440 | $16.08 |
| 7 | Elk Grove Village, IL | $33,384 | $16.05 |
| 8 | Neenah, WI | $33,068 | $15.90 |
| 9 | Cleveland, OH | $32,543 | $15.65 |
| 10 | Joplin, MO | $32,475 | $15.61 |
| 11 | Savannah, GA | $30,945 | $14.88 |
| 12 | Florence, KY | $30,825 | $14.82 |
| 13 | Grand Rapids, MI | $30,040 | $14.44 |
| 14 | Huntsville, AL | $29,278 | $14.08 |
| 15 | Tupelo, MS | $29,197 | $14.04 |
| 16 | Clarksville, TN | $29,157 | $14.02 |
| 17 | Waco, TX | $27,881 | $13.40 |
Baler operator salary details
A baler operator's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a baler operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $32,608 | $2,717 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying baler operator jobs
The highest paying types of baler operators are dock worker/forklift operator, mechanical spreader operator, and terminal operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | $32,452 | $2,704 | $15.60 | 120,073 |
| Material Handler/Forklift Operator | $36,453 | $3,038 | $17.53 | 168,379 |
| Warehouse Machine Operator | $33,796 | $2,816 | $16.25 | 229,051 |
| Lift Truck Operator | $36,973 | $3,081 | $17.78 | 103,337 |
| Cherry Picker Operator | $33,956 | $2,830 | $16.32 | 105,023 |
| Mechanical Spreader Operator | $42,262 | $3,522 | $20.32 | 60,297 |
Top companies hiring baler operators now:
Which companies pay baler operators the most?
Baler operator salaries at Schnitzer Steel and Greif are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average baler operator salary at companies like International Paper and Republic Services are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schnitzer Steel | $40,831 | $19.63 |
| 2 | Greif | $39,326 | $18.91 |
| 3 | International Paper | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| 4 | Republic Services | $37,724 | $18.14 |
| 5 | WestRock | $37,496 | $18.03 |
| 6 | Casella Waste Systems | $36,910 | $17.75 |
| 7 | Graphic Packaging International | $36,477 | $17.54 |
| 8 | Accredo Packaging | $34,855 | $16.76 |
| 9 | LSC Communications | $34,741 | $16.70 |
| 10 | 4over | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| 11 | RRD | $33,932 | $16.31 |
| 12 | Athens Services | $33,792 | $16.25 |
| 13 | Macy's | $33,739 | $16.22 |
| 14 | Jostens | $33,313 | $16.02 |
| 15 | NEXTAFF | $33,019 | $15.87 |
| 16 | Cartamundi Usa, Inc. | $32,911 | $15.82 |
| 17 | Area Temps | $32,874 | $15.80 |
| 18 | Adecco | $32,783 | $15.76 |
| 19 | Express Employment Indy South | $32,652 | $15.70 |
| 20 | Sheridan | $32,155 | $15.46 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Baler Operator salary by industry
The average baler operator salary varies across industries:
- The average baler operator salary in the transportation industry is $36,121, the highest of any industry.
- The average baler operator salary in the finance industry is $36,085.
- Baler operators in the retail industry earn an average salary of $28,134, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for baler operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation | $36,121 | $17.37 |
| 2 | Media | $36,085 | $17.35 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $35,669 | $17.15 |
| 4 | Retail | $28,134 | $13.53 |
High paying baler operator jobs
Baler operator salary trends
The average baler operator salary has risen by $6,555 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average baler operator earned $26,053 annually, but today, they earn $32,608 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for baler operators over the last decade.
Compare baler operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average baler operator salary over time
Compare baler operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Baler operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,600 | $15.68 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $31,400 | $15.11 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $30,200 | $14.50 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $29,200 | $14.04 | +3.5% |
| 2021 | $28,200 | $13.55 | +1.1% |
Recently added baler operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | Baler Operator | Omaha, NE | 06/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Goodwill of The Great Plains | Baler Operator | Rapid City, SD | 06/28/2025 | $34,164 |
| Open Door Mission | Baler Operator | Omaha, NE | 06/27/2025 | $31,305 |
| Los Angeles Regional Food Bank | Baler Operator/Custodian | Los Angeles, CA | 06/19/2025 | $38,610 |
| L.A. Food Bank | Baler Operator/Custodian | Los Angeles, CA | 06/16/2025 | $38,610 |
| Adecco Us, Inc. | Baler Operator | Auburn Hills, MI | 06/05/2025 | $35,479 |
| Magna International Inc. | Baler Operator-Press Shop | Piedmont, CA | 06/03/2025 | $40,801 |
| Packaging Corporation of America | Baler Operator | Bedford Park, IL | 05/30/2025 | $57,246 |
| Los Angeles Regional Food Bank | Baler Operator/Custodian | Los Angeles, CA | 05/26/2025 | $38,610 |
| Wm T Burnett Career | Baler Operator | Phoenix, AZ | 05/22/2025 | $33,392 |
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