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Occupation · SOC 51-9111

Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders

There are 379,060 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $43,220 a year. The most jobs are in Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–IN.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
379,060
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$43,220
Median pay a year
Middle half: $36,850–$49,070
41,400
Annual openings
10-year change: +4.1%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 332 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $43,290 · LCA filings 021,830$43,2900
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $38,790 · LCA filings 016,110$38,7900
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $43,470 · LCA filings 013,990$43,4700
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $40,610 · LCA filings 08,240$40,6100
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $42,450 · LCA filings 06,100$42,4500
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $44,340 · LCA filings 05,770$44,3400
St. Louis, MO–ILMedian pay $47,460 · LCA filings 04,910$47,4600
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INMedian pay $45,570 · LCA filings 04,770$45,5700
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $42,320 · LCA filings 04,720$42,3200
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $37,770 · LCA filings 04,230$37,7700

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Fort Collins–Loveland, COEmployment 670 · LCA filings 0$79,8006700
Salisbury, MDEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$69,060600
Cedar Rapids, IAEmployment 1,080 · LCA filings 0$67,7001,0800
Tuscaloosa, ALEmployment 160 · LCA filings 0$61,6801600
Owensboro, KYEmployment 980 · LCA filings 0$61,2509800

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $40,914 · Level III $45,219 · Level IV $49,546$36,587$40,914$45,219$49,546
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $39,104 · Level III $43,285 · Level IV $47,486$34,902$39,104$43,285$47,486
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $41,038 · Level III $45,677 · Level IV $50,294$36,421$41,038$45,677$50,294
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $37,669 · Level III $43,077 · Level IV $48,464$32,282$37,669$43,077$48,464
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $40,227 · Level III $44,678 · Level IV $49,109$35,797$40,227$44,678$49,109
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $39,374 · Level III $44,866 · Level IV $50,378$33,862$39,374$44,866$50,378
St. Louis, MO–ILLevel II $42,536 · Level III $49,130 · Level IV $55,744$35,922$42,536$49,130$55,744
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INLevel II $41,059 · Level III $47,091 · Level IV $53,123$35,027$41,059$47,091$53,123
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $38,480 · Level III $43,888 · Level IV $49,296$33,072$38,480$43,888$49,296
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $35,256 · Level III $41,683 · Level IV $48,090$28,850$35,256$41,683$48,090

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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All 332 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All OtherMachinists

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology