SOC 51-9111 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders — Tampa
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL · 10 metro areas compared
In Tampa, FL the median wage is $38,070.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Tampa, FL the median wage is $38,070. That is 11.9% lower than the national median of $43,220. Pay ranges from under $29,230 at the tenth percentile to more than $53,540 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $31,360 to $46,070.
The area has 2,520 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.72 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Lakeland records the highest median at $39,170. Of the 629 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 530th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,230 | −32.4% |
| 25th | $31,360 | −27.4% |
| Median (50th) | $38,070 | −11.9% |
| 75th | $46,070 | +6.6% |
| 90th | $53,540 | +23.9% |
| Mean | $40,450 | −6.4% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lakeland | $39,170 | 1,490 | |
| 2 | Tallahassee | $38,460 | 80 | |
| 3 | North Port | $38,240 | 700 | |
| 4 | Gainesville | $38,070 | 110 | |
| 5 | Orlando | $37,930 | 1,720 | |
| 6 | Jacksonville | $37,470 | 870 | |
| 7 | Miami | $35,810 | 4,110 | |
| 8 | Cape Coral | $35,760 | 150 | |
| 9 | Deltona | $34,850 | 270 | |
| 10 | Ocala | $34,790 | 180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Tampa run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $38,070 buys what $36,818 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 14.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,070as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,818US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,070 a year, 11.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,230 to $53,540 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,520 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lakeland, at $39,170.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in Tampa, FL?
The median annual wage is $38,070, or $18.30 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 Tampa, FL is 11.9% 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 Tampa, FL earns more than $53,540 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,230 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 Lakeland, at $39,170 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,520 jobs in this occupation in Tampa, FL. 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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