Salary guide, May 2025
Paper Machine Operator (Machine Tender) pay in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
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The median annual wage for Production Workers, All Other in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL was $36,790 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $30,470 and $42,850.
The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL median is $3,320 below the national median of $40,110, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-9199 Production Workers, All Other
Paper Machine Operator (Machine Tender) 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 tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $28,620 | $30,470 | $36,790 | $42,850 | $57,640 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $13.76 | $14.65 | $17.69 | $20.60 | $27.71 |
BLS estimated 2,220 workers employed in this occupation in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL. Location quotient: 0.95.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $31,200 | $36,030 | $40,110 | $49,010 | $61,530 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15.00 | $17.32 | $19.29 | $23.56 | $29.58 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Paper Machine Operator (Machine Tender) median is $36,790. The all-occupations median in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL is $48,940. Ratio: 0.75 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 0.95 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 | $28,290 | $35,520 | $41,900 |
| May 2025 | $30,470 | $36,790 | $42,850 |
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 51-9199 Production Workers, All Other, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL. 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 51-9199 Production Workers, All Other, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $36,640 | $35,930 to $41,480 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $38,770 | $36,590 to $47,570 |
National page · Paper Machine Operator (Machine Tender) ranked across metros