Median Salary
$46,570
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$22.39
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$61,120
entry level starts ~$35,930
Pay Grade
C+
modest pay · 45,000 employed
How much do Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make?
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn a median annual salary of $46,570 in the United States, which works out to roughly $22.39 per hour for full-time work. Most earn between $35,930 at the entry level and $61,120 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $39,440 and $53,800 a year.
That is $14,820 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary range by percentile
Half of all Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn between $39,440 and $53,800 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,930 | $17.27 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $39,440 | $18.96 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,570 | $22.39 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $53,800 | $25.87 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,120 | $29.38 |
|
Highest-paying states for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Minnesota leads the country for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay at $58,260 a year, followed by Vermont ($52,220) and Colorado ($51,750). At the other end, New Mexico posts the lowest median at $32,770 — a gap of $25,490 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 47 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Minnesota $58,260Vermont $52,220Colorado $51,750Montana $51,540Oregon $51,180Missouri $50,930Washington $50,430New Hampshire $50,290Illinois $49,740New York $49,680Iowa $49,600Maine $49,200New Jersey $48,600Ohio $48,400Nebraska $48,300Kentucky $48,180Wisconsin $48,040North Dakota $47,480South Carolina $47,410Arkansas $47,320Pennsylvania $46,850Idaho $46,840Arizona $46,780Alaska $46,240Indiana $46,150California $46,110Rhode Island $45,950Utah $45,510South Dakota $44,980Maryland $44,820Virginia $44,790Kansas $44,760Michigan $44,620Connecticut $44,530Georgia $44,130Tennessee $44,030Massachusetts $43,790North Carolina $43,770Nevada $43,470Texas $42,210Mississippi $41,590Louisiana $41,170Florida $40,540Alabama $39,740West Virginia $37,920Oklahoma $37,910New Mexico $32,770
Workforce and education
About 45,000 people work as Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in the United States. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in the United States?
The median Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in the United States is $46,570 per year, or about $22.39 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $35,930, while the top 10% of earners make $61,120 or more.
How does Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C+ (modest pay), the Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders median of $46,570 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders the most?
Minnesota is the highest-paying state for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, with a median salary of $58,260 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders need?
For most positions, a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders work in the United States?
About 45,000 people were employed as Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.