How much does a office machine operator make?
The median office machine operator in the United States earns $40,960 per year, about $19.69 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all office machine operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 43-9071.
Office machine operator salary range
Pay for office machine operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $31,750 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $57,960. The average (mean) wage of $43,220 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,750 | $15.27 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $36,090 | $17.35 | |
| Median (50th) | $40,960 | $19.69 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $47,910 | $23.03 | |
| 90th percentile | $57,960 | $27.87 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for office machine operators, except computer (SOC 43-9071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Office machine operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Office machine operators earn the most in Alaska at $56,010 a year, and the least in Arizona at $32,060. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $56,010 | 70 |
| Vermont | $48,380 | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $47,470 | N/A |
| California | $47,150 | 2,320 |
| Colorado | $46,860 | 250 |
| Washington | $46,290 | 340 |
| Minnesota | $45,890 | 630 |
| New York | $45,740 | 3,780 |
| Rhode Island | $45,560 | 70 |
| Nevada | $45,330 | 70 |
| Maine | $45,240 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $44,480 | 930 |
| Illinois | $44,360 | 1,150 |
| Montana | $44,260 | 120 |
| West Virginia | $43,140 | 80 |
| Oregon | $42,910 | 370 |
| Virginia | $41,920 | 530 |
| District of Columbia | $41,460 | 170 |
| Iowa | $41,330 | 250 |
| Tennessee | $40,740 | 230 |
| Wisconsin | $39,890 | 550 |
| New Jersey | $39,360 | 1,570 |
| Delaware | $39,200 | 110 |
| Kansas | $39,050 | 310 |
| Nebraska | $38,820 | 100 |
| Kentucky | $38,640 | 200 |
| Ohio | $38,380 | 750 |
| Florida | $38,330 | 560 |
| Hawaii | $38,170 | 130 |
| Indiana | $37,860 | 600 |
| Connecticut | $37,790 | N/A |
| Missouri | $37,760 | 880 |
| Wyoming | $37,470 | 90 |
| Texas | $37,060 | 1,550 |
| Louisiana | $36,960 | 70 |
| Michigan | $36,880 | 370 |
| Georgia | $36,730 | 1,020 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,720 | 1,230 |
| Arkansas | $36,520 | 190 |
| Utah | $36,360 | 240 |
| Maryland | $35,670 | 580 |
| New Mexico | $35,140 | 160 |
| Oklahoma | $34,810 | 290 |
| Mississippi | $34,640 | 90 |
| South Carolina | $33,870 | 190 |
| New Hampshire | $32,590 | 230 |
| Arizona | $32,060 | 650 |
State median wages for office machine operators, except computer (SOC 43-9071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for office machine operators
The BLS projects employment of office machine operators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 14.9%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 25,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 21,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,100 openings a year for office machine operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an office machine operator
The typical entry-level education for office machine operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an office machine operator earns
Employer, industry, seniority, and metro area drive pay. Large organizations and high cost cities pay above small offices and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $56,010) and the lowest (Arizona, $32,060) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 25,130 people work as office machine operators in the United States. At $40,960 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Office machine operator salary FAQ
How much does an office machine operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an office machine operator is $19.69. The middle half of office machine operators earn between $17.35 and $23.03 per hour.
What is the highest office machine operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of office machine operators earn more than $57,960 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an office machine operator make a year?
The median annual salary for an office machine operator is $40,960. The average (mean) wage of $43,220 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an office machine operator a well paid job?
At $40,960 a year, an office machine operator earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 25,130 people work as office machine operators in the United States.
Which state pays office machine operators the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for office machine operators at $56,010 a year. Vermont ($48,380) and Massachusetts ($47,470) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an office machine operator a good career?
Employment of office machine operators is projected to shrink 14.9% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an office machine operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for office machine operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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