SOC 51-3091 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders — North Dakota
North Dakota · 1 metro areas compared
In North Dakota the median wage for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders reaches $77,300 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In North Dakota the median wage for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders reaches $77,300 a year. That is 72.5% more than the national median of $44,810. Pay ranges from under $47,090 at the tenth percentile to more than $77,320 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $50,350 to $77,320.
The area has 30 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.54 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. North Dakota ranks number 1st out of 44 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Grand Forks records the highest median at $43,610. Of the 556 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 151st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,090 | +5.1% |
| 25th | $50,350 | +12.4% |
| Median (50th) | $77,300 | +72.5% |
| 75th | $77,320 | +72.6% |
| 90th | $77,320 | +72.6% |
| Mean | $63,860 | +42.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in North Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks | $43,610 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Dakota run 11.0% below the national average, so the median of $77,300 goes as far as $86,854 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 93.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$77,300as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$86,854US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $77,300 a year, 72.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,090 to $77,320 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 1st of 44 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Grand Forks, at $43,610.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders in North Dakota?
The median annual wage is $77,300, or $37.16 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $44,810, so pay in North Dakota is 72.5% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in North Dakota earns more than $77,320 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,090 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Grand Forks, at $43,610 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 30 jobs in this occupation in North Dakota. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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