SOC 51-9111 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders — Houston
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Houston, TX is $37,770 per year, 12.6% below the national median of $43,220.
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 Houston, TX is $37,770 per year, 12.6% below the national median of $43,220. Half of workers earn between $31,600 and $46,820. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $25,520 and the ninetieth at $67,390.
The area has 4,230 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.3 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Killeen records the highest median at $46,490. Of the 699 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 587th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,520 | −41.0% |
| 25th | $31,600 | −26.9% |
| Median (50th) | $37,770 | −12.6% |
| 75th | $46,820 | +8.3% |
| 90th | $67,390 | +55.9% |
| Mean | $41,740 | −3.4% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Killeen | $46,490 | 270 | |
| 2 | Wichita Falls | $46,160 | 200 | |
| 3 | Sherman | $43,710 | 350 | |
| 4 | Amarillo | $43,110 | 370 | |
| 5 | Austin | $42,070 | 970 | |
| 6 | Dallas | $40,610 | 8,240 | |
| 7 | San Antonio | $38,210 | 2,580 | |
| 8 | College Station | $37,730 | 130 | |
| 9 | Lubbock | $36,580 | 170 | |
| 10 | Waco | $36,070 | 320 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Houston run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $37,770 goes as far as $38,898 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,770as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,898US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,770 a year, 12.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,520 to $67,390 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,230 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Killeen, at $46,490.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Houston, TX?
The median annual wage is $37,770, or $18.16 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 $43,220, so pay in Houston, TX is 12.6% lower. 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 Houston, TX earns more than $67,390 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $25,520 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 Killeen, at $46,490 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,230 jobs in this occupation in Houston, TX. 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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