SOC 51-9111 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders — Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI · 10 metro areas compared
In Kalamazoo, MI the median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders is $48,800 a year, which is 12.9% higher than the national figure of $43,220.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Kalamazoo, MI the median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders is $48,800 a year, which is 12.9% higher than the national figure of $43,220. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $47,940 and $50,450. The lowest tenth earn under $37,350, while the highest tenth earn more than $59,870.
The area has 510 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.2 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Traverse City records the highest median at $54,020. Of the 346 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 212th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,350 | −13.6% |
| 25th | $47,940 | +10.9% |
| Median (50th) | $48,800 | +12.9% |
| 75th | $50,450 | +16.7% |
| 90th | $59,870 | +38.5% |
| Mean | $49,570 | +14.7% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Traverse City | $54,020 | 200 | |
| 2 | Battle Creek | $49,910 | 390 | |
| 3 | Bay City | $47,350 | 190 | |
| 4 | Monroe | $44,990 | 90 | |
| 5 | Saginaw | $43,800 | 80 | |
| 6 | Muskegon | $42,020 | 200 | |
| 7 | Grand Rapids | $41,890 | 3,980 | |
| 8 | Ann Arbor | $40,840 | 260 | |
| 9 | Detroit | $39,300 | 2,700 | |
| 10 | Flint | $37,920 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Kalamazoo run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $48,800 goes as far as $50,728 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,800as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,728US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,800 a year, 12.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,350 to $59,870 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 510 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Traverse City, at $54,020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Kalamazoo, MI?
The median annual wage is $48,800, or $23.46 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 Kalamazoo, MI is 12.9% 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 Kalamazoo, MI earns more than $59,870 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,350 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 Traverse City, at $54,020 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 510 jobs in this occupation in Kalamazoo, MI. 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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