Salary guide, May 2025
Packaging Operator pay in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
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The median annual wage for Industrial Machinery Mechanics in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC was $61,570 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $48,220 and $70,120.
The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC median is $2,950 below the national median of $64,520, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Packaging Operator is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $41,810 | $48,220 | $61,570 | $70,120 | $81,510 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20.10 | $23.18 | $29.60 | $33.71 | $39.19 |
BLS estimated 850 workers employed in this occupation in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC. Location quotient: 1.95.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $46,120 | $55,010 | $64,520 | $78,780 | $95,170 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $22.17 | $26.45 | $31.02 | $37.88 | $45.76 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Packaging Operator median is $61,570. The all-occupations median in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC is $45,220. Ratio: 1.36 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.95 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $48,220 | $59,930 | $66,020 |
| May 2025 | $48,220 | $61,570 | $70,120 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 49-9041 Industrial Machinery Mechanics, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson City, TN | $55,750 | $51,850 to $65,810 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $65,530 | $55,830 to $77,120 |
All roles in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC · National page · Packaging Operator ranked across metros