SOC 51-9196 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — Massachusetts
Massachusetts · 4 metro areas compared
At $48,840, median pay for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Massachusetts tracks the national median of $50,270 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $48,840, median pay for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Massachusetts tracks the national median of $50,270 closely. Pay ranges from under $38,600 at the tenth percentile to more than $65,220 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $43,170 to $59,760.
Employment stands at 1,920, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Massachusetts ranks number 24th out of 43 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Pittsfield records the highest median at $65,190. Of the 717 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 558th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,600 | −23.2% |
| 25th | $43,170 | −14.1% |
| Median (50th) | $48,840 | −2.8% |
| 75th | $59,760 | +18.9% |
| 90th | $65,220 | +29.7% |
| Mean | $52,120 | +3.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Massachusetts
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsfield | $65,190 | 190 | |
| 2 | Boston | $58,820 | 470 | |
| 3 | Worcester | $47,200 | 600 | |
| 4 | Springfield | $46,350 | 340 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Massachusetts run 5.8% above the national average, so the median of $48,840 buys what $46,163 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 8.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,840as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,163US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,840 a year, 2.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,600 to $65,220 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,920 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 24th of 43 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Pittsfield, at $65,190.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Massachusetts?
The median annual wage is $48,840, or $23.48 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 Massachusetts is 2.8% 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 Massachusetts earns more than $65,220 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,600 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 Pittsfield, at $65,190 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,920 jobs in this occupation in Massachusetts. 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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