New Jersey Median
$37,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $41,590
State Rank
#32 of 41
430 employed here
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in New Jersey?
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in New Jersey take home a median of $37,180 annually — roughly $17.88 an hour — which runs 11% below the national median of $41,590.
Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $32,220 while the top 10% make $45,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,290 and $41,350 a year.
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in New Jersey
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $32,290 | $15.52 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,180 | $17.88 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $41,350 | $19.88 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,170 | $21.72 |
|
How New Jersey compares
New Jersey ranks 32nd out of 41 states and territories for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in other states
Washington $51,100Utah $48,620Massachusetts $47,960Iowa $47,900Michigan $47,260Minnesota $47,250Colorado $46,900Kansas $45,850New York $45,680Tennessee $45,620Nebraska $45,420Idaho $45,120California $44,740Oregon $44,530Louisiana $44,440Arizona $44,050Indiana $43,350Pennsylvania $42,710Illinois $42,670Missouri $42,160Kentucky $41,800Ohio $41,160Arkansas $40,480New Hampshire $40,440Wisconsin $40,000South Dakota $39,270North Carolina $39,070Connecticut $38,880Georgia $38,440South Carolina $38,220Maine $37,500Maryland $36,960Nevada $36,610Florida $36,450Oklahoma $36,030Virginia $35,140Texas $33,980Delaware $31,240Mississippi $31,150Alabama $27,080
Working as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in New Jersey
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 New Jersey pay ($37,180) 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 New Jersey?
The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in New Jersey is $37,180 per year, or about $17.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,220 at the entry level to $45,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders about 11% less than the national median of $41,590. New Jersey ranks 32nd out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,180 a year. About 430 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders are employed in New Jersey. 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 New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Food Cooking 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.