North Carolina Median
$47,940
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.05
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $50,270
State Rank
#32 of 43
4,800 employed here
How much do Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in North Carolina?
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in North Carolina take home a median of $47,940 annually — roughly $23.05 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $50,270.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $35,480 while the top 10% make $63,410 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,260 and $56,870 a year.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,480 | $17.06 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,260 | $18.39 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,940 | $23.05 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $56,870 | $27.34 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,410 | $30.49 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 32nd out of 43 states and territories for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in other states
Oklahoma $63,640Maine $61,780Utah $60,790Washington $59,410Louisiana $58,230Minnesota $58,150Kentucky $58,050Wisconsin $58,050Idaho $57,950Oregon $56,810Illinois $56,400New Mexico $53,930New York $52,800Alabama $52,290Pennsylvania $51,780Michigan $50,540New Hampshire $50,200Georgia $50,160South Carolina $50,040Virginia $49,900Arizona $49,160Colorado $48,940Florida $48,910Massachusetts $48,840Indiana $48,780California $48,730Rhode Island $48,710Arkansas $48,630Connecticut $48,530Delaware $48,110Nebraska $47,980Texas $47,830Maryland $47,780Nevada $47,780Missouri $47,560Ohio $47,450Mississippi $47,380Tennessee $46,920South Dakota $46,910Iowa $46,110New Jersey $45,950Kansas $45,840
Working as Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in North Carolina
Nationally, about 96,000 people work as Paper Goods Machine Setters, 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 ($47,940) 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 Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in North Carolina?
The median Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in North Carolina is $47,940 per year, or about $23.05 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,480 at the entry level to $63,410 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders about 5% less than the national median of $50,270. North Carolina ranks 32nd out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $47,940 a year. About 4,800 Paper Goods Machine Setters, 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 Paper Goods Machine Setters, 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.