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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Missouri Median
$42,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.27
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $41,590
State Rank
#20 of 41
620 employed here

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

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders working in Missouri earn a median salary of $42,160 per year, or about $20.27 per hour. That is 1% above the national median of $41,590 for this occupation.

Within Missouri, entry-level pay starts around $28,810 while the top 10% make $57,020 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,520 and $48,600 a year.

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in Missouri

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$28,810$13.85
25th percentile (early career)$36,520$17.56
50th percentile (median)$42,160$20.27
75th percentile (experienced)$48,600$23.37
90th percentile (top earners)$57,020$27.41

How Missouri compares

Missouri ranks 20th 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 Missouri

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 Missouri pay ($42,160) 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 Missouri?
The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Missouri is $42,160 per year, or about $20.27 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,810 at the entry level to $57,020 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Missouri pay compare to the national average?
Missouri pays Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders about 1% more than the national median of $41,590. Missouri ranks 20th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Missouri a good state for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Missouri pays above the national median for this occupation, at $42,160 a year. About 620 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders are employed in Missouri. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Missouri?
The highest-paying occupations in Missouri include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($842,800), Cardiologist ($648,070), Emergency Medicine Physician ($456,280), 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.