Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$35,980
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.30
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $44,810
State Rank
#41 of 44
1,510 employed here

How much do Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders make in North Carolina?

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina take home a median of $35,980 annually — roughly $17.30 an hour — which runs 20% below the national median of $44,810.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $27,230 while the top 10% make $77,980 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,920 and $53,580 a year.

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$27,230$13.09
25th percentile (early career)$28,920$13.90
50th percentile (median)$35,980$17.30
75th percentile (experienced)$53,580$25.76
90th percentile (top earners)$77,980$37.49

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 41st out of 44 states and territories for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1North Dakota$77,300
2Maryland$60,170
3Colorado$59,590
4Virginia$59,260
5Alaska$55,280

Working as Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in North Carolina

Nationally, about 20,000 people work as Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($35,980) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders make in North Carolina?
The median Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary in North Carolina is $35,980 per year, or about $17.30 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,230 at the entry level to $77,980 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders about 20% less than the national median of $44,810. North Carolina ranks 41st out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $35,980 a year. About 1,510 Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders salary report

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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). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.