Salary guide, May 2025
Skilled Machine Operator pay in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
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The median annual wage for Production Workers, All Other in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI was $35,620 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $35,610 and $41,900.
The Kalamazoo-Portage, MI median is $4,490 below the national median of $40,110, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-9199 Production Workers, All Other
Skilled Machine 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35,060 | $35,610 | $35,620 | $41,900 | $46,450 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $16.86 | $17.12 | $17.13 | $20.14 | $22.33 |
BLS estimated 260 workers employed in this occupation in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI. Location quotient: 1.3.
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 Skilled Machine Operator median is $35,620. The all-occupations median in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI is $48,510. Ratio: 0.73 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.3 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 | $34,430 | $37,770 | $46,640 |
| May 2025 | $35,610 | $35,620 | $41,900 |
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, 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 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek, MI | $43,850 | $36,400 to $50,930 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $39,130 | $39,130 to $60,360 |
All roles in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI · National page · Skilled Machine Operator ranked across metros