SOC 51-9196 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — Southwest Alabama
Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
In Southwest Alabama, AL the median wage for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is $61,460 a year, which is 22.3% higher than the national figure of $50,270.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Southwest Alabama, AL the median wage for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is $61,460 a year, which is 22.3% higher than the national figure of $50,270. Half of workers earn between $48,660 and $75,650. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $36,970 and the ninetieth at $79,660.
The area has 1,350 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 33.93 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Montgomery leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $50,120. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 78th of 252 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,970 | −26.5% |
| 25th | $48,660 | −3.2% |
| Median (50th) | $61,460 | +22.3% |
| 75th | $75,650 | +50.5% |
| 90th | $79,660 | +58.5% |
| Mean | $59,300 | +18.0% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montgomery | $50,120 | 190 | |
| 2 | Birmingham | $48,450 | 60 | |
| 3 | Decatur | $45,050 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $61,460 goes as far as $69,212 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 37.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$61,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$69,212US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,460 a year, 22.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,970 to $79,660 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,350 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Montgomery, at $50,120.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Southwest Alabama, AL?
The median annual wage is $61,460, or $29.55 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 Southwest Alabama, AL is 22.3% 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 Southwest Alabama, AL earns more than $79,660 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,970 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 Montgomery, at $50,120 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,350 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Alabama, AL. 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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