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Dryer operator salary
Average dryer operator salary
$36,131
Understanding Dryer Operator Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Dryer Operator is $36,131 per year or about $17 per hour. This salary can vary significantly based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific industry of employment.
Salary by State
Some states offer higher salaries for Dryer Operators due to demand and cost of living. For instance, states like California and Texas typically report higher average salaries. Understanding these regional differences can help job seekers target areas with better compensation.
Top Cities for Dryer Operators
Cities often provide varying salary ranges. Urban areas with larger manufacturing sectors may offer more competitive pay. Researching local job markets can reveal opportunities for higher salaries.
Industry Impact
Industries such as textiles and food processing often employ Dryer Operators. Each industry may have distinct pay scales. Therefore, targeting specific industries can lead to better salary outcomes. For those pursuing a career as a Dryer Operator, staying informed about salary trends and opportunities in different regions and sectors is crucial for maximizing earning potential.
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Where can a Dryer Operator earn more?
Average dryer operator salary by state
The average dryer operator salary in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average dryer operator salary states are Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for dryer operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $47,927 | $23.04 |
| 3 | Vermont | $47,966 | $23.06 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $47,218 | $22.70 |
| 5 | Nevada | $46,347 | $22.28 |
| 6 | Maine | $44,624 | $21.45 |
| 7 | Idaho | $44,962 | $21.62 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $40,488 | $19.47 |
| 9 | Washington | $47,045 | $22.62 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $39,714 | $19.09 |
| 11 | Iowa | $38,301 | $18.41 |
| 12 | Hawaii | $43,342 | $20.84 |
| 13 | Arizona | $42,414 | $20.39 |
| 14 | District of Columbia | $42,703 | $20.53 |
| 15 | Delaware | $44,000 | $21.15 |
| 16 | Illinois | $39,180 | $18.84 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $42,929 | $20.64 |
| 18 | North Carolina | $37,880 | $18.21 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $38,985 | $18.74 |
| 20 | Ohio | $34,405 | $16.54 |
| 21 | Kansas | $37,945 | $18.24 |
| 22 | Alaska | $37,286 | $17.93 |
| 23 | Montana | $41,013 | $19.72 |
| 24 | Minnesota | $36,086 | $17.35 |
| 25 | New York | $40,197 | $19.33 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $34,684 | $16.68 |
| 27 | Texas | $36,914 | $17.75 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| 29 | Michigan | $34,819 | $16.74 |
| 30 | Oregon | $37,967 | $18.25 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $33,565 | $16.14 |
| 32 | Virginia | $38,904 | $18.70 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $34,060 | $16.38 |
| 34 | North Dakota | $35,116 | $16.88 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $35,106 | $16.88 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $32,595 | $15.67 |
| 37 | Missouri | $33,401 | $16.06 |
| 38 | West Virginia | $33,306 | $16.01 |
| 39 | Maryland | $36,486 | $17.54 |
| 40 | Utah | $32,792 | $15.77 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $31,223 | $15.01 |
| 42 | California | $34,001 | $16.35 |
| 43 | Colorado | $34,816 | $16.74 |
| 44 | Indiana | $29,450 | $14.16 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $31,654 | $15.22 |
| 46 | Georgia | $30,921 | $14.87 |
| 47 | New Mexico | $33,450 | $16.08 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $29,513 | $14.19 |
| 49 | Alabama | $31,142 | $14.97 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $32,163 | $15.46 |
| 51 | Florida | $31,046 | $14.93 |
Highest paying cities for dryer operators
The highest-paying cities for dryer operators are Billings, MT, Lawrence, MA, and Streamwood, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billings, MT | $40,620 | $19.53 |
| 2 | Lawrence, MA | $40,563 | $19.50 |
| 3 | Streamwood, IL | $39,374 | $18.93 |
| 4 | Sioux City, IA | $38,803 | $18.66 |
| 5 | Charlotte, NC | $37,857 | $18.20 |
| 6 | Salinas, CA | $35,203 | $16.92 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $34,837 | $16.75 |
| 8 | Eau Claire, WI | $34,612 | $16.64 |
Dryer operator salary details
A dryer operator's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $44,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a dryer operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| Average | $36,131 | $3,011 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
Highest paying dryer operator jobs
The highest paying types of dryer operators are can dryer, drying machine operator, and coffee roaster.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | $32,452 | $2,704 | $15.60 | 120,073 |
| Production Line Operator | $33,261 | $2,772 | $15.99 | 155,014 |
| Forklift Operator | $34,213 | $2,851 | $16.45 | 213,020 |
| Machine Operator | $32,874 | $2,740 | $15.80 | 96,834 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
Top companies hiring dryer operators now:
Which companies pay dryer operators the most?
Dryer operator salaries at Dairy Farmers of America and Reckitt Benckiser are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average dryer operator salary at companies like Fresh Express and Land O'Lakes are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dairy Farmers of America | $45,698 | $21.97 |
| 2 | Reckitt Benckiser | $43,625 | $20.97 |
| 3 | Fresh Express | $43,140 | $20.74 |
| 4 | Land O'Lakes | $42,728 | $20.54 |
| 5 | Ampi | $42,257 | $20.32 |
| 6 | Steel Dynamics | $42,169 | $20.27 |
| 7 | Rembrandt Foods | $41,697 | $20.05 |
| 8 | Optimum Nutrition | $40,724 | $19.58 |
| 9 | Perrigo | $40,692 | $19.56 |
| 10 | Post Holdings | $40,510 | $19.48 |
| 11 | Mayo Clinic | $39,622 | $19.05 |
| 12 | Sensient Technologies | $39,351 | $18.92 |
| 13 | Michael Foods | $39,253 | $18.87 |
| 14 | Oldcastle Infrastructure | $38,959 | $18.73 |
| 15 | Lesaffre International Corporation | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| 16 | Oil-Dri Corporation of America | $38,340 | $18.43 |
| 17 | Unifrax | $38,162 | $18.35 |
| 18 | Kerry Holding Co. | $38,154 | $18.34 |
| 19 | Cambrex | $37,867 | $18.21 |
| 20 | AmeriPride Services | $36,888 | $17.73 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Dryer Operator salary by industry
The average dryer operator salary varies across industries:
- The average dryer operator salary in the agriculture industry is $39,878, the highest of any industry.
- The average dryer operator salary in the finance industry is $39,509.
- Dryer operators in the retail industry earn an average salary of $37,345, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for dryer operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agriculture | $39,878 | $19.17 |
| 2 | Media | $39,509 | $18.99 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $38,573 | $18.54 |
| 4 | Retail | $37,345 | $17.95 |
High paying dryer operator jobs
Dryer operator salary trends
The average dryer operator salary has risen by $5,450 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average dryer operator earned $30,681 annually, but today, they earn $36,131 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for dryer operators over the last decade.
Compare dryer operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average dryer operator salary over time
Compare dryer operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Dryer operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $36,100 | $17.37 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $35,100 | $16.89 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $34,300 | $16.49 | +4.6% |
| 2022 | $32,700 | $15.73 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | $31,800 | $15.28 | +1.8% |
Recently added dryer operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Byheart | Dryer Operator {Night Shift} | Allerton, IA | 06/24/2025 | $41,740 |
| Actus Nutrition | Dryer Operator 6PM-6AM | Adell, WI | 06/13/2025 | $54,262 |
| Milk Specialties | Dryer Operator 6PM-6AM | Adell, WI | 06/12/2025 | $54,262 |
| Post Holdings | Dryer Operator I-PPF | Visalia, CA | 05/24/2025 | $43,827 |
| Dairy Farmers of America | Whey Dryer Operator | New Wilmington, PA | 05/20/2025 | $51,048 |
| Post Holdings | Dryer Operator I-PPF | Visalia, CA | 04/25/2025 | $43,827 |
| Darigold Careers | Dryer Operator | Pasco, WA | 04/12/2025 | $49,441 |
| Agropur Inc. | Dryer Operator | Lake Norden, SD | 03/28/2025 | $57,977 |
| Byheart | Dryer Operator {Night Shift} | Centerville, IA | 03/21/2025 | $41,740 |
| Agropur | Dryer Operator | Lake Norden, SD | 03/20/2025 | $57,977 |
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