How much does a paper goods machine setter make?
The median paper goods machine setter in the United States earns $50,270 per year, about $24.17 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all paper goods machine setters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-9196.
Paper goods machine setter salary range
Pay for paper goods machine setters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,300 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $70,320. The average (mean) wage of $52,840 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 | $37,300 | $17.93 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $44,920 | $21.60 | |
| Median (50th) | $50,270 | $24.17 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $60,180 | $28.93 | |
| 90th percentile | $70,320 | $33.81 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders (SOC 51-9196), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Paper goods machine setter salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Paper goods machine setters earn the most in Oklahoma at $63,640 a year, and the least in Kansas at $45,840. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $63,640 | 1,390 |
| Maine | $61,780 | 740 |
| Utah | $60,790 | 1,350 |
| Washington | $59,410 | 2,170 |
| Louisiana | $58,230 | 1,150 |
| Minnesota | $58,150 | 1,960 |
| Kentucky | $58,050 | 2,670 |
| Wisconsin | $58,050 | 8,510 |
| Idaho | $57,950 | 480 |
| Oregon | $56,810 | 680 |
| Illinois | $56,400 | 5,360 |
| New Mexico | $53,930 | 100 |
| New York | $52,800 | 3,280 |
| Alabama | $52,290 | 3,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,780 | 7,410 |
| Michigan | $50,540 | 3,000 |
| New Hampshire | $50,200 | 230 |
| Georgia | $50,160 | 5,650 |
| South Carolina | $50,040 | 2,460 |
| Virginia | $49,900 | 2,370 |
| Arizona | $49,160 | 1,190 |
| Colorado | $48,940 | 240 |
| Florida | $48,910 | 1,360 |
| Massachusetts | $48,840 | 1,920 |
| Indiana | $48,780 | 2,580 |
| California | $48,730 | 5,570 |
| Rhode Island | $48,710 | 240 |
| Arkansas | $48,630 | 2,060 |
| Connecticut | $48,530 | 650 |
| Delaware | $48,110 | 160 |
| Nebraska | $47,980 | 300 |
| North Carolina | $47,940 | 4,800 |
| Texas | $47,830 | 3,740 |
| Maryland | $47,780 | 480 |
| Nevada | $47,780 | 380 |
| Missouri | $47,560 | 1,540 |
| Ohio | $47,450 | 4,640 |
| Mississippi | $47,380 | 960 |
| Tennessee | $46,920 | 3,490 |
| South Dakota | $46,910 | 130 |
| Iowa | $46,110 | 1,010 |
| New Jersey | $45,950 | 3,210 |
| Kansas | $45,840 | 420 |
State median wages for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders (SOC 51-9196), 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 paper goods machine setters
The BLS projects employment of paper goods machine setters to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3.6%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 96,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 92,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 9,000 openings a year for paper goods machine setters. 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 a paper goods machine setter
The typical entry-level education for paper goods machine setters is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-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 a paper goods machine setter earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Oklahoma, $63,640) and the lowest (Kansas, $45,840) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 96,130 people work as paper goods machine setters in the United States. At $50,270 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Paper goods machine setter salary FAQ
How much does a paper goods machine setter make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a paper goods machine setter is $24.17. The middle half of paper goods machine setters earn between $21.60 and $28.93 per hour.
What is the highest paper goods machine setter salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of paper goods machine setters earn more than $70,320 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a paper goods machine setter make a year?
The median annual salary for a paper goods machine setter is $50,270. The average (mean) wage of $52,840 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a paper goods machine setter a well paid job?
At $50,270 a year, a paper goods machine setter earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 96,130 people work as paper goods machine setters in the United States.
Which state pays paper goods machine setters the most?
Oklahoma has the highest median salary for paper goods machine setters at $63,640 a year. Maine ($61,780) and Utah ($60,790) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a paper goods machine setter a good career?
Employment of paper goods machine setters is projected to shrink 3.6% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 9,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a paper goods machine setter?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for paper goods machine setters as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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