SOC 51-9111 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders — Northwestern Wisconsin
Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northwestern Wisconsin, WI comes to $46,850 a year, ahead of the national median of $43,220 by 8.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northwestern Wisconsin, WI comes to $46,850 a year, ahead of the national median of $43,220 by 8.4%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $37,720 and $47,960. The lowest tenth earn under $33,010, while the highest tenth earn more than $56,680.
Employment stands at 410, or 8.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Eau Claire leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $60,340. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 149th of 236 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,010 | −23.6% |
| 25th | $37,720 | −12.7% |
| Median (50th) | $46,850 | +8.4% |
| 75th | $47,960 | +11.0% |
| 90th | $56,680 | +31.1% |
| Mean | $45,150 | +4.5% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eau Claire | $60,340 | 330 | |
| 2 | Madison | $47,430 | 1,490 | |
| 3 | Sheboygan | $47,120 | 910 | |
| 4 | Janesville | $46,450 | 520 | |
| 5 | Green Bay | $46,220 | 2,110 | |
| 6 | Wausau | $46,030 | 620 | |
| 7 | Milwaukee | $45,980 | 2,190 | |
| 8 | Kenosha | $45,900 | 520 | |
| 9 | La Crosse | $45,890 | 340 | |
| 10 | Racine | $45,750 | 470 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwestern Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $46,850 goes as far as $49,787 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,850as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,787US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,850 a year, 8.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $33,010 to $56,680 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 410 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Eau Claire, at $60,340.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Northwestern Wisconsin, WI?
The median annual wage is $46,850, or $22.52 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 Northwestern Wisconsin, WI is 8.4% 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 Northwestern Wisconsin, WI earns more than $56,680 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $33,010 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 Eau Claire, at $60,340 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 410 jobs in this occupation in Northwestern Wisconsin, WI. 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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