Salary guide, May 2025
Packaging Operator pay in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
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The median annual wage for Industrial Machinery Mechanics in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI was $66,340 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $58,820 and $83,510.
The Kalamazoo-Portage, MI median is $1,820 above 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 kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $47,610 | $58,820 | $66,340 | $83,510 | $95,900 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $22.89 | $28.28 | $31.90 | $40.15 | $46.11 |
BLS estimated 610 workers employed in this occupation in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI. Location quotient: 1.77.
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 $66,340. The all-occupations median in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI is $48,510. Ratio: 1.37 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.77 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 | $51,270 | $62,720 | $81,380 |
| May 2025 | $58,820 | $66,340 | $83,510 |
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, Kalamazoo-Portage, MI. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek, MI | $71,130 | $62,780 to $77,310 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $60,750 | $53,590 to $74,890 |
All roles in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI · National page · Packaging Operator ranked across metros