SOC 51-9111 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders — Columbus
Columbus, OH · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Columbus, OH is $45,600 per year, close to the national median of $43,220 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Columbus, OH is $45,600 per year, close to the national median of $43,220 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $39,370 and $56,990. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,360 and the ninetieth at $79,530.
Employment stands at 2,930, or 2.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Toledo records the highest median at $47,970. Of the 611 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 478th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,360 | −18.2% |
| 25th | $39,370 | −8.9% |
| Median (50th) | $45,600 | +5.5% |
| 75th | $56,990 | +31.9% |
| 90th | $79,530 | +84.0% |
| Mean | $49,590 | +14.7% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toledo | $47,970 | 770 | |
| 2 | Cincinnati | $45,570 | 4,770 | |
| 3 | Sandusky | $41,600 | 80 | |
| 4 | Cleveland | $40,840 | 2,160 | |
| 5 | Dayton | $39,770 | 610 | |
| 6 | Akron | $39,620 | 650 | |
| 7 | Mansfield | $37,880 | 300 | |
| 8 | Lima | $37,430 | 510 | |
| 9 | Canton | $37,350 | 1,320 | |
| 10 | Youngstown | $37,320 | 250 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbus run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $45,600 goes as far as $49,138 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,600as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,138US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,600 a year, 5.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,360 to $79,530 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,930 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Toledo, at $47,970.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Columbus, OH?
The median annual wage is $45,600, or $21.92 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 $43,220, so pay in Columbus, OH is 5.5% 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 Columbus, OH earns more than $79,530 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,360 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 Toledo, at $47,970 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,930 jobs in this occupation in Columbus, OH. 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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