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Paper machine operator salary
Average paper machine operator salary
$16.26
Average Paper Machine Operator Salary
The average salary for a Paper Machine Operator in the United States is approximately $33,822 annually or $16.26 per hour. This figure can fluctuate based on several factors, including geographical location, years of experience, and the specific sector within the paper manufacturing industry. For example, operators in states like California or New York often earn higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for skilled labor.
Experience Levels
Entry-level positions typically start at lower salaries, but operators with several years of experience can command significantly higher wages. For instance, operators with over ten years in the field may earn upwards of $45,000 annually. This salary progression can motivate new entrants to pursue further training and certifications, enhancing their earning potential over time.
Job Opportunities
Those looking to advance their careers may find opportunities in supervisory roles or specialized positions within paper production facilities. Furthermore, advancements in technology and sustainability practices in the industry may lead to new job roles, creating additional pathways for career growth.
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Where can a Paper Machine Operator earn more?
Paper machine operator salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level paper machine operator | $29,200 | $14.05 |
| Mid-level paper machine operator | $29,800 | $14.32 |
| Senior-level paper machine operator | $40,400 | $19.42 |
Paper machine operator salary estimates from across the web
Average paper machine operator salary by state
The average paper machine operator salary in California, Washington, and Wisconsin are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average paper machine operator salary states are Arkansas, Tennessee, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for paper machine operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| 2 | Alaska | $43,962 | $21.14 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $42,421 | $20.39 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $43,668 | $20.99 |
| 5 | South Dakota | $38,339 | $18.43 |
| 6 | Maine | $40,981 | $19.70 |
| 7 | Washington | $44,826 | $21.55 |
| 8 | Ohio | $35,137 | $16.89 |
| 9 | North Dakota | $41,679 | $20.04 |
| 10 | Idaho | $42,696 | $20.53 |
| 11 | Indiana | $35,820 | $17.22 |
| 12 | California | $45,576 | $21.91 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $36,891 | $17.74 |
| 14 | Oregon | $40,150 | $19.30 |
| 15 | Michigan | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| 16 | Utah | $37,185 | $17.88 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $35,270 | $16.96 |
| 18 | Montana | $41,160 | $19.79 |
| 19 | Wyoming | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| 20 | Massachusetts | $34,656 | $16.66 |
| 21 | Iowa | $34,723 | $16.69 |
| 22 | Arizona | $36,007 | $17.31 |
| 23 | New York | $37,224 | $17.90 |
| 24 | Rhode Island | $31,687 | $15.23 |
| 25 | North Carolina | $32,217 | $15.49 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $34,171 | $16.43 |
| 27 | New Hampshire | $31,910 | $15.34 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $31,303 | $15.05 |
| 29 | Kansas | $31,199 | $15.00 |
| 30 | West Virginia | $33,420 | $16.07 |
| 31 | Colorado | $34,601 | $16.64 |
| 32 | Missouri | $31,466 | $15.13 |
| 33 | Illinois | $31,387 | $15.09 |
| 34 | Maryland | $35,099 | $16.87 |
| 35 | Connecticut | $31,488 | $15.14 |
| 36 | Vermont | $32,096 | $15.43 |
| 37 | Nevada | $31,334 | $15.06 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $28,612 | $13.76 |
| 39 | New Mexico | $32,035 | $15.40 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $29,771 | $14.31 |
| 41 | Virginia | $32,618 | $15.68 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $29,068 | $13.97 |
| 43 | District of Columbia | $28,302 | $13.61 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $29,238 | $14.06 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $28,666 | $13.78 |
| 46 | Georgia | $27,973 | $13.45 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $29,465 | $14.17 |
| 48 | Delaware | $29,436 | $14.15 |
| 49 | Alabama | $27,825 | $13.38 |
| 50 | Texas | $28,078 | $13.50 |
| 51 | Florida | $28,378 | $13.64 |
Highest paying cities for paper machine operators
The highest-paying cities for paper machine operators are Neenah, WI, Saint Paul, MN, and Linden, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neenah, WI | $45,313 | $21.79 |
| 2 | Saint Paul, MN | $42,446 | $20.41 |
| 3 | Linden, NJ | $37,057 | $17.82 |
| 4 | Phoenix, AZ | $36,063 | $17.34 |
| 5 | Kansas City, MO | $31,936 | $15.35 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $31,681 | $15.23 |
| 7 | Newark, DE | $29,572 | $14.22 |
| 8 | Tulsa, OK | $29,195 | $14.04 |
Paper machine operator salary details
A paper machine operator's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $44,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a paper machine operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| Average | $33,822 | $2,819 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying paper machine operator jobs
The highest paying types of paper machine operators are machine adjuster, cup operator, and operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Machine Operator | $32,874 | $2,740 | $15.80 | 96,834 |
| Handle Machine Operator | $29,598 | $2,467 | $14.23 | 110,258 |
| Pack Machine Operator | $35,157 | $2,930 | $16.90 | 68,876 |
Top companies hiring paper machine operators now:
Which companies pay paper machine operators the most?
Paper machine operator salaries at Koch Industries and CVS Health are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average paper machine operator salary at companies like WestRock and Aerotek are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Koch Industries | $42,230 | $20.30 |
| 2 | CVS Health | $41,462 | $19.93 |
| 3 | WestRock | $41,255 | $19.83 |
| 4 | Aerotek | $37,632 | $18.09 |
| 5 | Kelly Services | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| 6 | Morgan Advanced Materials And Technology Inc | $36,857 | $17.72 |
| 7 | Dart Container | $34,815 | $16.74 |
| 8 | Ranpak | $34,703 | $16.68 |
| 9 | Pratt Industries | $33,926 | $16.31 |
| 10 | ASPEN PRODUCTS | $33,543 | $16.13 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Paper Machine Operator salary by industry
The average paper machine operator salary varies across industries:
- The average paper machine operator salary in the finance industry is $41,054, the highest of any industry.
- The average paper machine operator salary in the finance industry is $37,736.
- Paper machine operators in the media industry earn an average salary of $37,266, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for paper machine operators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finance | $41,054 | $19.74 |
| 2 | Transportation | $37,736 | $18.14 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $37,405 | $17.98 |
| 4 | Media | $37,266 | $17.92 |
High paying paper machine operator jobs
Paper machine operator salary trends
The average paper machine operator salary has risen by $4,714 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average paper machine operator earned $29,108 annually, but today, they earn $33,822 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for paper machine operators over the last decade.
Compare paper machine operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average paper machine operator salary over time
Compare paper machine operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Paper machine operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $33,800 | $16.26 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $33,300 | $16.01 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $32,900 | $15.82 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $32,200 | $15.47 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | $31,400 | $15.10 | +3.5% |
Recently added paper machine operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia-Pacific | Tissue Paper Machine Operator | Palatka, FL | 06/27/2025 | $44,224 |
| Essity Ab | Paper Converting Machine Operator | Neenah, WI | 05/18/2025 | $55,389 |
| Essity Aktiebolag (Publ | Paper Converting Machine Operator | Neenah, WI | 05/16/2025 | $55,389 |
| Essity Ab | Paper Converting Machine Operator | Neenah, WI | 03/28/2025 | $55,389 |
| Essity Aktiebolag (Publ | Paper Converting Machine Operator | Neenah, WI | 03/26/2025 | $55,389 |
| Provisur Technology | Machine Operator-Paper | Tinley Park, IL | 03/22/2025 | $37,566 |
| Pratt Industries | Paper Machine Operator | Wapakoneta, OH | 02/18/2025 | $55,000 |
| Hoffmaster Group, Inc. | Machine Operator-Paper Straw Winder | Fort Wayne, IN | 02/11/2025 | $35,479 |
| Pratt Industries | Paper Machine Operator | Wapakoneta, OH | 12/15/2024 | $55,000 |
| Pratt Industries | Paper Machine Operator | Valparaiso, IN | 11/30/2024 | $55,000 |
Paper machine operator salary FAQs
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