SOC 51-9196 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — Battle Creek
Battle Creek, MI · 5 metro areas compared
In Battle Creek, MI the median wage for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is $57,810 a year, which is 15.0% higher than the national figure of $50,270.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Battle Creek, MI the median wage for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is $57,810 a year, which is 15.0% higher than the national figure of $50,270. Half of workers earn between $50,690 and $62,460. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $46,220 and the ninetieth at $62,460.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.8 of every thousand jobs. Kalamazoo leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $51,360. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 110th of 223 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,220 | −8.1% |
| 25th | $50,690 | +0.8% |
| Median (50th) | $57,810 | +15.0% |
| 75th | $62,460 | +24.2% |
| 90th | $62,460 | +24.2% |
| Mean | $55,880 | +11.2% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kalamazoo | $51,360 | 370 | |
| 2 | Detroit | $51,220 | 720 | |
| 3 | Niles | $49,590 | 100 | |
| 4 | Grand Rapids | $48,910 | 520 | |
| 5 | Ann Arbor | $45,800 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Battle Creek run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $57,810 goes as far as $60,094 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$57,810as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$60,094US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $57,810 a year, 15.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,220 to $62,460 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kalamazoo, at $51,360.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Battle Creek, MI?
The median annual wage is $57,810, or $27.80 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 $50,270, so pay in Battle Creek, MI is 15.0% 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 Battle Creek, MI earns more than $62,460 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,220 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 Kalamazoo, at $51,360 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Battle Creek, 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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