Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Maryland (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Maryland, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Maryland Median
$36,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $41,590
State Rank
#33 of 41
state estimate

How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Maryland?

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Maryland take home a median of $36,960 annually — roughly $17.77 an hour — which runs 11% below the national median of $41,590.

Within Maryland, entry-level pay starts around $33,530 while the top 10% make $40,090 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,500 and $39,790 a year.

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in Maryland

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$33,530$16.12
25th percentile (early career)$36,500$17.55
50th percentile (median)$36,960$17.77
75th percentile (experienced)$39,790$19.13
90th percentile (top earners)$40,090$19.27

How Maryland compares

Maryland ranks 33rd out of 41 states and territories for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$51,100
2Utah$48,620
3Massachusetts$47,960
4Iowa$47,900
5Michigan$47,260

Working as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Maryland

Nationally, about 31,000 people work as Food Cooking 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 Maryland pay ($36,960) 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 Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Maryland?
The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Maryland is $36,960 per year, or about $17.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,530 at the entry level to $40,090 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Maryland pay compare to the national average?
Maryland pays Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders about 11% less than the national median of $41,590. Maryland ranks 33rd out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Maryland a good state for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,960 a year. 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 Maryland?
The highest-paying occupations in Maryland include Radiologist ($581,510), Emergency Medicine Physician ($451,620), Dermatologist ($442,210), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary report

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.