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The average salary for an extruder operator in the United States is approximately $36,707 annually, which translates to about $18 per hour. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and the specific industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with several years of experience can command higher wages.
For instance, operators in states like California and Texas often report higher salaries due to increased demand for manufacturing roles. In addition, urban areas may offer more lucrative positions compared to rural locations.
Key Factors Influencing Salary:
By exploring these factors and staying informed about salary trends, aspiring or current extruder operators can better position themselves for higher earnings. Future opportunities may arise from advancements in technology or shifts in market demand, making continuous learning and adaptation essential.
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The highest-paying states for extruder operators are New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Hawaii. The lowest average extruder operator salary states are Arkansas, Indiana, and Mississippi.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $45,981 | $22.11 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $44,752 | $21.52 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $41,375 | $19.89 |
| 5 | Maryland | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| 6 | South Dakota | $43,988 | $21.15 |
| 7 | Iowa | $39,493 | $18.99 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $45,068 | $21.67 |
| 9 | Montana | $44,328 | $21.31 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $40,524 | $19.48 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $38,317 | $18.42 |
| 12 | Kentucky | $38,043 | $18.29 |
| 13 | Virginia | $42,926 | $20.64 |
| 14 | Wyoming | $41,852 | $20.12 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $38,281 | $18.40 |
| 16 | Michigan | $37,630 | $18.09 |
| 17 | Kansas | $38,755 | $18.63 |
| 18 | Alaska | $39,496 | $18.99 |
| 19 | Louisiana | $40,641 | $19.54 |
| 20 | Arizona | $39,449 | $18.97 |
| 21 | Connecticut | $39,003 | $18.75 |
| 22 | Georgia | $37,378 | $17.97 |
| 23 | Tennessee | $36,268 | $17.44 |
| 24 | Washington | $39,935 | $19.20 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | $37,992 | $18.27 |
| 26 | Maine | $38,044 | $18.29 |
| 27 | Nevada | $38,127 | $18.33 |
| 28 | New York | $40,141 | $19.30 |
| 29 | Vermont | $38,597 | $18.56 |
| 30 | District of Columbia | $37,679 | $18.11 |
| 31 | Ohio | $35,399 | $17.02 |
| 32 | Utah | $36,430 | $17.51 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $37,281 | $17.92 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $36,121 | $17.37 |
| 35 | West Virginia | $37,031 | $17.80 |
| 36 | Alabama | $35,859 | $17.24 |
| 37 | Idaho | $37,191 | $17.88 |
| 38 | Delaware | $38,027 | $18.28 |
| 39 | California | $37,654 | $18.10 |
| 40 | Oregon | $37,257 | $17.91 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $35,278 | $16.96 |
| 42 | Indiana | $34,597 | $16.63 |
| 43 | Illinois | $35,996 | $17.31 |
| 44 | Missouri | $35,619 | $17.12 |
| 45 | Florida | $36,001 | $17.31 |
| 46 | New Mexico | $36,592 | $17.59 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $34,065 | $16.38 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $33,719 | $16.21 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $33,917 | $16.31 |
| 50 | Colorado | $35,996 | $17.31 |
| 51 | Texas | $34,012 | $16.35 |
The highest-paying cities for extruder operators are Woburn, MA, Roanoke, VA, and Manitowoc, WI.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woburn, MA | $44,765 | $21.52 |
| 2 | Roanoke, VA | $42,345 | $20.36 |
| 3 | Manitowoc, WI | $41,574 | $19.99 |
| 4 | Wallingford, CT | $39,034 | $18.77 |
| 5 | Kansas City, KS | $38,829 | $18.67 |
| 6 | Easton, PA | $38,445 | $18.48 |
| 7 | Richmond, KY | $37,961 | $18.25 |
| 8 | Dalton, GA | $37,798 | $18.17 |
| 9 | Beaverton, OR | $37,312 | $17.94 |
| 10 | Orem, UT | $36,328 | $17.47 |
| 11 | Fremont, NE | $36,154 | $17.38 |
| 12 | Cuyahoga Falls, OH | $35,727 | $17.18 |
| 13 | Mishawaka, IN | $35,068 | $16.86 |
| 14 | Arlington, TX | $33,988 | $16.34 |
| 15 | Monroe, NC | $33,341 | $16.03 |
An extruder operator's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $45,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| 75th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| Average | $36,707 | $3,059 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
The highest paying types of extruder operators are mill operator, numerical control operator, and operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | $32,452 | $2,704 | $15.60 | 120,073 |
| Numerical Control Operator | $38,280 | $3,190 | $18.40 | 85,068 |
| Pack Machine Operator | $35,157 | $2,930 | $16.90 | 68,876 |
| Production Line Operator | $33,261 | $2,772 | $15.99 | 155,014 |
| Production Operator | $35,185 | $2,932 | $16.92 | 117,254 |
| Manufacturing Operator | $34,457 | $2,871 | $16.57 | 97,656 |
Top companies hiring extruder operators now:
Extruder operator salaries at Baker Hughes and Mars are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average extruder operator salary at companies like Amphenol and Post Holdings are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baker Hughes | $46,108 | $22.17 |
| 2 | Mars | $43,201 | $20.77 |
| 3 | Amphenol | $42,135 | $20.26 |
| 4 | Post Holdings | $41,475 | $19.94 |
| 5 | Bulldog Solutions | $40,725 | $19.58 |
| 6 | Cargill | $40,683 | $19.56 |
| 7 | Henkel | $40,563 | $19.50 |
| 8 | Lubrizol | $40,285 | $19.37 |
| 9 | ADM | $40,021 | $19.24 |
| 10 | Sonoco | $39,947 | $19.21 |
| 11 | Crane Co. | $39,916 | $19.19 |
| 12 | Pactiv | $39,879 | $19.17 |
| 13 | Rogers Roofing | $39,875 | $19.17 |
| 14 | Andersen | $39,749 | $19.11 |
| 15 | Plastic Ingenuity | $39,672 | $19.07 |
| 16 | rEvolution | $39,415 | $18.95 |
| 17 | Zeus Industrial Products | $38,926 | $18.71 |
| 18 | Saint-Gobain | $38,510 | $18.51 |
| 19 | Arcosa | $38,483 | $18.50 |
| 20 | Judd Wire | $38,352 | $18.44 |
The average extruder operator salary has risen by $5,115 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average extruder operator earned $31,592 annually, but today, they earn $36,707 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for extruder operators over the last decade.
Compare extruder operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare extruder operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $36,700 | $17.65 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $35,500 | $17.08 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $34,400 | $16.53 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $33,800 | $16.27 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $33,100 | $15.93 | +2.2% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hood Packaging Corporation | Extruder Operator Trainee | Roseville, MN | 06/29/2025 | $50,025 |
| Colgate-Palmolive | Extruder Operator | Clinton, OK | 06/26/2025 | $46,958 |
| Nestle International | Extruder Operator Job Details | Nestle Operational Services Worldwide SA | Miami, OK | 06/26/2025 | $48,460 |
| Saint-Gobain | Extruder Operator (2ND & 3Rd Shift Availability Required)-Manufacturing, Life Sciences | Akron, OH | 06/26/2025 | $46,477 |
| CRH | Extruder Operator | Fine, NY | 06/26/2025 | $43,827 |
| NestlÉ Purina | Extruder Operator | Miami, OK | 06/26/2025 | $48,460 |
| Quanex Building Products Corporation | Extruder Operator-Night Shift | Rice Lake, WI | 06/25/2025 | $42,784 |
| Illinois Tool Works | Extruder Operator-Nights | Doraville, GA | 06/18/2025 | $39,653 |
| Southwire | Extruder Operator II | Douglas, GA | 06/18/2025 | $52,446 |
| Southwire | Extruder Operator II | Douglas, AZ | 06/16/2025 | $52,446 |
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