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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$51,100
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.57
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+23% vs US median
US median $41,590
State Rank
#1 of 41
310 employed here

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

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders working in Washington earn a median salary of $51,100 per year, or about $24.57 per hour. That is 23% above the national median of $41,590 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $41,060 while the top 10% make $60,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,580 and $56,850 a year.

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$41,060$19.74
25th percentile (early career)$47,580$22.88
50th percentile (median)$51,100$24.57
75th percentile (experienced)$56,850$27.33
90th percentile (top earners)$60,660$29.16

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 1st 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($51,100) 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 Washington?
The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Washington is $51,100 per year, or about $24.57 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,060 at the entry level to $60,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders about 23% more than the national median of $41,590. Washington ranks 1st out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $51,100 a year. About 310 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.