Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Massachusetts
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Massachusetts earn a median of $48,840 a year ($23.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,920 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,220 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $50,270. Massachusetts ranks 24th of 43 states for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders pay. There are 0.53 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| 25th percentile | $43,170 | $20.76 |
| Median | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| 75th percentile | $59,760 | $28.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,220 | $31.35 |
| Average (mean) | $52,120 | $25.06 |
Half of paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,070 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,035 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,878.46 |
| Weekly | $939.23 |
| Hourly | $23.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,840 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsfield, MA | $65,190 | 190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $58,820 | 470 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $47,970 | 370 |
| Worcester, MA | $47,200 | 600 |
| Springfield, MA | $46,350 | 340 |
Highest-paying states for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $63,640 |
| Maine | $61,780 |
| Utah | $60,790 |
| Washington | $59,410 |
| Louisiana | $58,230 |
| Minnesota | $58,150 |
| Kentucky | $58,050 |
| Wisconsin | $58,050 |
| Idaho | $57,950 |
| Oregon | $56,810 |
See Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay in every state.
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $52,270 | $25.13 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,360 | $19.40 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $56,920 | $27.37 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $45,780 | $22.01 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,150 | $24.59 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $61,630 | $29.63 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $42,280 | $20.33 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $43,790 | $21.05 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $51,410 | $24.72 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | $51,060 | $24.55 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $81,670 | $39.27 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,970 | $23.54 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9196. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Massachusetts?
The median salary for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Massachusetts is $48,840 a year, or $23.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Massachusetts earn at least $65,220 a year. The top 25% earn $59,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,600 a year, and a quarter of paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders earn $43,170 or less.
How many paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders work in Massachusetts?
About 1,920 paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.