SOC 51-9111 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders — Merced
Merced, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Merced, CA is $45,280 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 Merced, CA is $45,280 per year, close to the national median of $43,220 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $35,860 and $54,390. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,060 and the ninetieth at $64,010.
Employment stands at 620, or 7.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Napa records the highest median at $50,850. Of the 272 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 204th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,060 | −18.9% |
| 25th | $35,860 | −17.0% |
| Median (50th) | $45,280 | +4.8% |
| 75th | $54,390 | +25.8% |
| 90th | $64,010 | +48.1% |
| Mean | $45,840 | +6.1% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Napa | $50,850 | 960 | |
| 2 | Modesto | $49,460 | 1,610 | |
| 3 | Sacramento | $46,780 | 1,130 | |
| 4 | San Francisco | $46,310 | 3,510 | |
| 5 | Vallejo | $46,310 | 710 | |
| 6 | Hanford | $45,900 | 300 | |
| 7 | San Jose | $45,740 | 1,260 | |
| 8 | Stockton | $45,500 | 1,640 | |
| 9 | Chico | $45,130 | 230 | |
| 10 | Santa Rosa | $44,970 | 770 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Merced run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $45,280 buys what $40,903 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 5.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,280as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,903US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,280 a year, 4.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,060 to $64,010 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 620 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Napa, at $50,850.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Merced, CA?
The median annual wage is $45,280, or $21.77 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 Merced, CA is 4.8% 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 Merced, CA earns more than $64,010 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,060 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 Napa, at $50,850 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 620 jobs in this occupation in Merced, CA. 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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