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As of October 2025, the average salary for a Finisher Operator is approximately $35,406 per year, translating to about $17 per hour. This salary can vary based on multiple factors, including geographical location, years of experience, and the specific industry. For example, Finisher Operators in high-demand areas or specialized industries may command higher wages.
In states with a thriving manufacturing sector, such as California and Texas, Finisher Operators can earn significantly more than the average. It's beneficial to explore job opportunities in cities known for higher wages, such as Los Angeles and Houston.
Additionally, gaining experience can lead to promotions and increased pay. Finisher Operators often have the potential to move into supervisory roles or specialize in specific areas, enhancing their earning potential further. For those interested in advancing their careers, pursuing relevant certifications or skill development can be advantageous.
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The average finisher operator salary in Alaska, North Dakota, and Hawaii are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average finisher operator salary states are Kentucky, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $46,152 | $22.19 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $40,658 | $19.55 |
| 3 | Nebraska | $40,964 | $19.69 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $39,404 | $18.94 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $41,988 | $20.19 |
| 6 | Iowa | $38,806 | $18.66 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $39,913 | $19.19 |
| 8 | Illinois | $39,669 | $19.07 |
| 9 | Maine | $39,196 | $18.84 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $37,374 | $17.97 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $37,261 | $17.91 |
| 12 | Hawaii | $40,978 | $19.70 |
| 13 | Kansas | $37,813 | $18.18 |
| 14 | Ohio | $35,915 | $17.27 |
| 15 | Nevada | $38,036 | $18.29 |
| 16 | New Jersey | $38,635 | $18.57 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $39,343 | $18.91 |
| 18 | District of Columbia | $42,218 | $20.30 |
| 19 | Tennessee | $35,154 | $16.90 |
| 20 | Idaho | $38,044 | $18.29 |
| 21 | Utah | $36,575 | $17.58 |
| 22 | South Dakota | $37,302 | $17.93 |
| 23 | Oregon | $38,473 | $18.50 |
| 24 | Indiana | $34,809 | $16.74 |
| 25 | Delaware | $38,482 | $18.50 |
| 26 | Washington | $39,056 | $18.78 |
| 27 | Connecticut | $38,014 | $18.28 |
| 28 | Arizona | $37,299 | $17.93 |
| 29 | California | $39,358 | $18.92 |
| 30 | New Hampshire | $35,492 | $17.06 |
| 31 | Michigan | $35,607 | $17.12 |
| 32 | Maryland | $39,626 | $19.05 |
| 33 | Texas | $35,691 | $17.16 |
| 34 | South Carolina | $34,706 | $16.69 |
| 35 | Virginia | $37,346 | $17.95 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $33,529 | $16.12 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $36,053 | $17.33 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $34,088 | $16.39 |
| 39 | Missouri | $34,649 | $16.66 |
| 40 | Georgia | $34,337 | $16.51 |
| 41 | Montana | $35,918 | $17.27 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $34,773 | $16.72 |
| 43 | New York | $36,832 | $17.71 |
| 44 | Colorado | $36,299 | $17.45 |
| 45 | Vermont | $33,865 | $16.28 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $34,866 | $16.76 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $33,000 | $15.87 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $31,836 | $15.31 |
| 49 | Alabama | $31,706 | $15.24 |
| 50 | Florida | $31,538 | $15.16 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $32,086 | $15.43 |
The highest-paying cities for finisher operators are Horsham, PA, Worcester, MA, and Chicago, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Horsham, PA | $40,824 | $19.63 |
| 2 | Worcester, MA | $39,957 | $19.21 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $39,776 | $19.12 |
| 4 | Kent, WA | $39,168 | $18.83 |
| 5 | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | $39,005 | $18.75 |
| 6 | Portland, OR | $38,428 | $18.48 |
| 7 | De Pere, WI | $37,858 | $18.20 |
| 8 | Charlottesville, VA | $37,356 | $17.96 |
| 9 | Casa Grande, AZ | $37,259 | $17.91 |
| 10 | Mentor, OH | $36,983 | $17.78 |
| 11 | Rochester, NY | $36,425 | $17.51 |
| 12 | Carrollton, TX | $35,911 | $17.26 |
| 13 | Fort Wayne, IN | $35,506 | $17.07 |
| 14 | Lees Summit, MO | $34,770 | $16.72 |
| 15 | Charlotte, NC | $33,775 | $16.24 |
| 16 | Orlando, FL | $31,536 | $15.16 |
A finisher operator's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $44,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| Average | $35,406 | $2,951 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
The highest paying types of finisher operators are relief operator, mill operator, and grinder operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Operator | $34,457 | $2,871 | $16.57 | 97,656 |
| Production Line Operator | $33,261 | $2,772 | $15.99 | 155,014 |
| Production Operator | $35,185 | $2,932 | $16.92 | 117,254 |
| Saw Operator | $32,319 | $2,693 | $15.54 | 58,465 |
| Extrusion Operator | $36,571 | $3,048 | $17.58 | 58,622 |
| Pack Machine Operator | $35,157 | $2,930 | $16.90 | 68,876 |
Top companies hiring finisher operators now:
Finisher operator salaries at Elanco and Raytheon Technologies are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average finisher operator salary at companies like MasTec and NOV are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elanco | $44,153 | $21.23 |
| 2 | Raytheon Technologies | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| 3 | MasTec | $40,905 | $19.67 |
| 4 | NOV | $40,480 | $19.46 |
| 5 | Carestream | $40,042 | $19.25 |
| 6 | Dynex/Rivett | $39,538 | $19.01 |
| 7 | Smith & Nephew | $39,487 | $18.98 |
| 8 | CPI Card Group | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| 9 | Avery Dennison | $39,212 | $18.85 |
| 10 | Wanzek Construction | $39,058 | $18.78 |
| 11 | WestCor Companies | $38,772 | $18.64 |
| 12 | Precision Castparts | $38,623 | $18.57 |
| 13 | Johns Manville | $38,573 | $18.54 |
| 14 | Mannington Mills | $38,184 | $18.36 |
| 15 | Jr. Davis Construction | $38,109 | $18.32 |
| 16 | Pharmaceutical Product Development | $38,010 | $18.27 |
| 17 | Masco | $37,932 | $18.24 |
| 18 | FedEx | $37,908 | $18.23 |
| 19 | Justrite | $37,386 | $17.97 |
| 20 | Jostens | $37,335 | $17.95 |
The average finisher operator salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technology | $38,157 | $18.34 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | $37,479 | $18.02 |
| 3 | Automotive | $37,352 | $17.96 |
| 4 | Transportation | $35,639 | $17.13 |
The average finisher operator salary has risen by $7,117 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average finisher operator earned $28,289 annually, but today, they earn $35,406 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for finisher operators over the last decade.
Compare finisher operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare finisher operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $35,400 | $17.02 | +3.6% |
| 2025 | $34,100 | $16.41 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $32,800 | $15.75 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $31,700 | $15.24 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $30,600 | $14.71 | +1.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerotek | Finisher Operator | Blauvelt, NY | 05/20/2025 | $48,001 |
| Madison | Finisher Operator | Sun Prairie, WI | 04/10/2025 | $37,566 |
| Madison | Finisher Operator | Sun Prairie, WI | 03/23/2025 | $35,479 |
| Aerotek | Finisher Operator | Cleveland, OH | 01/28/2025 | $45,760 |
| Aerotek | Finisher Operator | Saint Paul, MN | 10/24/2024 | $37,566 |
| Lead Staffing | Dozer/Excavator Finisher Operator | Lubbock, TX | 01/23/2024 | $52,175 |
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