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Manufacturing operator salary
Average manufacturing operator salary
$16.57
Understanding Manufacturing Operator Salaries
The average salary for a manufacturing operator stands at $34,457 annually, translating to roughly $17 per hour. However, salaries can vary significantly based on several factors. For instance, operators in states like California and Texas often earn more due to higher living costs and demand for skilled labor.
Factors Influencing Salary
Experience is another critical factor—entry-level positions typically start lower, while those with several years in the field can command higher wages. Additionally, specialization in certain manufacturing processes or machinery can lead to increased pay.
Career Advancement Opportunities
To enhance earning potential, consider pursuing certifications or additional training in advanced manufacturing techniques. Networking through industry associations can also open doors to higher-paying positions. With the right skills and experience, manufacturing operators can significantly increase their annual income.
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Where can a Manufacturing Operator earn more?
Manufacturing operator salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level manufacturing operator | $34,000 | $16.33 |
| Mid-level manufacturing operator | $43,000 | $20.66 |
| Senior-level manufacturing operator | $43,500 | $20.93 |
Manufacturing operator salary estimates from across the web
Average manufacturing operator salary by state
The average manufacturing operator salary in Wyoming, North Dakota, and Alaska are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average manufacturing operator salary states are Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Nevada.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for manufacturing operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin | $40,774 | $19.60 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $38,409 | $18.47 |
| 3 | Iowa | $37,721 | $18.14 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $38,798 | $18.65 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $37,957 | $18.25 |
| 6 | Alaska | $42,155 | $20.27 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $44,245 | $21.27 |
| 8 | Maine | $39,161 | $18.83 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $49,708 | $23.90 |
| 10 | Illinois | $38,185 | $18.36 |
| 11 | Indiana | $34,682 | $16.67 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $35,401 | $17.02 |
| 13 | Michigan | $34,363 | $16.52 |
| 14 | Kansas | $36,013 | $17.31 |
| 15 | Vermont | $37,124 | $17.85 |
| 16 | New Jersey | $35,879 | $17.25 |
| 17 | Ohio | $33,030 | $15.88 |
| 18 | Colorado | $38,501 | $18.51 |
| 19 | Connecticut | $36,562 | $17.58 |
| 20 | Washington | $38,437 | $18.48 |
| 21 | New York | $37,294 | $17.93 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $33,520 | $16.12 |
| 23 | Nebraska | $34,196 | $16.44 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $38,538 | $18.53 |
| 25 | Oregon | $34,805 | $16.73 |
| 26 | California | $36,210 | $17.41 |
| 27 | Utah | $32,703 | $15.72 |
| 28 | West Virginia | $32,056 | $15.41 |
| 29 | Kentucky | $31,408 | $15.10 |
| 30 | Montana | $36,031 | $17.32 |
| 31 | Missouri | $33,513 | $16.11 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $33,505 | $16.11 |
| 34 | Alabama | $30,795 | $14.81 |
| 35 | Mississippi | $31,155 | $14.98 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $33,275 | $16.00 |
| 37 | Georgia | $31,083 | $14.94 |
| 38 | Idaho | $32,189 | $15.48 |
| 39 | Arizona | $31,366 | $15.08 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $28,543 | $13.72 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $29,791 | $14.32 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $30,600 | $14.71 |
| 43 | Maryland | $31,048 | $14.93 |
| 44 | Texas | $29,657 | $14.26 |
| 45 | Nevada | $28,936 | $13.91 |
| 46 | Delaware | $31,195 | $15.00 |
| 47 | Virginia | $30,343 | $14.59 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $29,579 | $14.22 |
| 49 | New Mexico | $29,277 | $14.08 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $27,008 | $12.98 |
| 51 | Florida | $27,395 | $13.17 |
Highest paying cities for manufacturing operators
The highest-paying cities for manufacturing operators are Fort Collins, CO, Worcester, MA, and Rochester, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Collins, CO | $38,985 | $18.74 |
| 2 | Worcester, MA | $38,911 | $18.71 |
| 3 | Rochester, NY | $38,527 | $18.52 |
| 4 | Minneapolis, MN | $38,414 | $18.47 |
| 5 | Santa Rosa, CA | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| 6 | Kansas City, KS | $36,338 | $17.47 |
| 7 | Eugene, OR | $34,825 | $16.74 |
| 8 | Holland, MI | $34,460 | $16.57 |
| 9 | Indianapolis, IN | $34,322 | $16.50 |
| 10 | Kansas City, MO | $33,896 | $16.30 |
| 11 | Lancaster, PA | $33,384 | $16.05 |
| 12 | Salt Lake City, UT | $32,757 | $15.75 |
| 13 | Dublin, OH | $32,726 | $15.73 |
| 14 | Frederick, MD | $31,283 | $15.04 |
| 15 | Charlotte, NC | $31,106 | $14.95 |
| 16 | Fort Worth, TX | $30,138 | $14.49 |
| 17 | Roanoke, VA | $30,010 | $14.43 |
| 18 | Albuquerque, NM | $29,402 | $14.14 |
| 19 | Miami, FL | $26,279 | $12.63 |
Manufacturing operator salary details
A manufacturing operator's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $43,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a manufacturing operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| Average | $34,457 | $2,871 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
Highest paying manufacturing operator jobs
The highest paying types of manufacturing operators are relief operator, process operator, and operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assembly Operator | $31,928 | $2,661 | $15.35 | 87,293 |
| Extrusion Operator | $36,571 | $3,048 | $17.58 | 58,622 |
| Cell Operator | $37,866 | $3,155 | $18.20 | 66,532 |
| Process Operator | $37,996 | $3,166 | $18.27 | 83,478 |
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Filler Operator | $37,729 | $3,144 | $18.14 | 65,876 |
Top companies hiring manufacturing operators now:
Which companies pay manufacturing operators the most?
Manufacturing operator salaries at DuPont and Evonik are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average manufacturing operator salary at companies like Eastman and Smith & Nephew are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DuPont | $41,248 | $19.83 |
| 2 | Evonik | $41,226 | $19.82 |
| 3 | Eastman | $41,096 | $19.76 |
| 4 | Smith & Nephew | $40,966 | $19.70 |
| 5 | The Clorox Company | $40,789 | $19.61 |
| 6 | Thermo Fisher Scientific | $40,677 | $19.56 |
| 7 | General Mills | $40,610 | $19.52 |
| 8 | Elanco | $40,416 | $19.43 |
| 9 | Bimbo Bakeries | $40,395 | $19.42 |
| 10 | Baker Hughes | $40,336 | $19.39 |
| 11 | Novo Nordisk | $40,332 | $19.39 |
| 12 | Henkel | $40,264 | $19.36 |
| 13 | Steel Dynamics | $40,090 | $19.27 |
| 14 | Schreiber Foods | $40,071 | $19.26 |
| 15 | Amy's Kitchen | $39,701 | $19.09 |
| 16 | General Electric | $39,677 | $19.08 |
| 17 | Crown Battery | $39,477 | $18.98 |
| 18 | Nucor | $39,339 | $18.91 |
| 19 | Brunswick | $39,274 | $18.88 |
| 20 | Lippert Components | $39,179 | $18.84 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Manufacturing Operator salary by industry
The average manufacturing operator salary varies across industries:
- The average manufacturing operator salary in the pharmaceutical industry is $37,500, the highest of any industry.
- The average manufacturing operator salary in the finance industry is $37,398.
- Manufacturing operators in the technology industry earn an average salary of $35,426, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for manufacturing operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pharmaceutical | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| 2 | Manufacturing | $37,398 | $17.98 |
| 3 | Automotive | $37,347 | $17.96 |
| 4 | Health Care | $37,341 | $17.95 |
| 5 | Technology | $35,426 | $17.03 |
High paying manufacturing operator jobs
Manufacturing operator salary trends
The average manufacturing operator salary has risen by $5,033 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average manufacturing operator earned $29,424 annually, but today, they earn $34,457 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for manufacturing operators over the last decade.
Compare manufacturing operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average manufacturing operator salary over time
Compare manufacturing operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Manufacturing operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $34,500 | $16.57 | +2.5% |
| 2025 | $33,600 | $16.16 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $33,100 | $15.93 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $32,300 | $15.52 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $31,700 | $15.23 | +2.5% |
Recently added manufacturing operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adecco Us, Inc. | Manufacturing Operator | Jayuya, PR | 06/30/2025 | $21,914 |
| Invitrogen Holdings | Manufacturing Operators Onsite Interview Days-Tuesday July 15Th | Millersburg, PA | 06/29/2025 | $37,983 |
| Adecco Us, Inc. | Operator II Manufacturing | Rochester, NY | 06/28/2025 | $39,653 |
| Pentair | Manufacturing Operator | Dover, NH | 06/28/2025 | $36,523 |
| Baker Hughes Company | Manufacturing Operator | Minden, NV | 06/28/2025 | $34,957 |
| Noble Biomaterials | Manufacturing Operator-1St. Shift | Scranton, PA | 06/28/2025 | $35,479 |
| Paul Muller Company | Manufacturing Operator | Springfield, MO | 06/28/2025 | $34,436 |
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | Operator II, Manufacturing | Fairport, NY | 06/27/2025 | $42,784 |
| Broadcom | Manufacturing Operator 1 | Fort Collins, CO | 06/27/2025 | $42,784 |
| Southern Indiana Power | Manufacturing Operator-38Th and Sheridan Location | Indianapolis, IN | 06/27/2025 | $31,305 |
Manufacturing operator salary FAQs
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