SOC 51-9111 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders — Olympia
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA · 9 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $39,770 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $43,220.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $39,770 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $43,220. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $39,770 and $39,770. The lowest tenth earn under $39,770, while the highest tenth earn more than $49,960.
Within the state, Mount Vernon records the highest median at $49,590. Of the 345 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 319th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,770 | −8.0% |
| 25th | $39,770 | −8.0% |
| Median (50th) | $39,770 | −8.0% |
| 75th | $39,770 | −8.0% |
| 90th | $49,960 | +15.6% |
| Mean | $41,440 | −4.1% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Vernon | $49,590 | 190 | |
| 2 | Longview | $47,980 | 540 | |
| 3 | Walla Walla | $43,850 | 100 | |
| 4 | Yakima | $43,690 | 650 | |
| 5 | Seattle | $43,370 | 2,850 | |
| 6 | Spokane | $39,680 | 400 | |
| 7 | Bellingham | $39,090 | 370 | |
| 8 | Kennewick | $38,750 | 1,160 | |
| 9 | Wenatchee | $37,780 | 180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Olympia run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $39,770 buys what $37,168 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 14.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,770as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$37,168US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,770 a year, 8.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,770 to $49,960 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Mount Vernon, at $49,590.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Olympia, WA?
The median annual wage is $39,770, or $19.12 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 Olympia, WA is 8.0% 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 Olympia, WA earns more than $49,960 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,770 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 Mount Vernon, at $49,590 per year.
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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