SOC 51-9196 · Worcester, MA metro

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Worcester, MA

The average salary for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Worcester, Massachusetts is $49,140 a year ($23.63 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $47,200: half of the 600 people in this job in the Worcester, MA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 7% less than the U.S. average for this job ($52,840).

$49,140average per year

$23.63 / hourMedian $47,200Take-home ≈ $39,527

  • $38K10th
  • $42K25th
  • $47KMedian
  • $57K75th
  • $60K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

600people in this job
-7%vs U.S. average
#3 of 4Massachusetts metros
103cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay range in Worcester

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,050 a year or less, while the top 10% make $59,800 or more. The middle half of paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Worcester earn between $41,720 and $56,580.

  • $38K10th
  • $42K25th
  • $47KMedian
  • $57K75th
  • $60K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$49,140$4,095$23.62
Median$47,200$3,933$22.69
Entry level (25th percentile)$41,720$3,477$20.06
Experienced (75th percentile)$56,580$4,715$27.20

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay in Worcester vs. Massachusetts and the U.S.

Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders in Worcester earn 6% less than the Massachusetts average ($52,120) and 7% less than the U.S. average ($52,840). At the median the gap is -6% against the U.S. median of $50,270.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Worcester$49,140$47,200$38,050$59,800600
Massachusetts$52,120$48,840$38,600$65,2201,920
United States$52,840$50,270$37,300$70,32096,130

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary after taxes in Worcester

On the average salary of $49,140, a single filer in Worcester takes home about $39,527 a year, or $3,294 a month and $1,520 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums are not included.

Massachusetts paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Worcester a good place for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Worcester area are 3% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 102.5), so the average $49,140 buys what about $47,931 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Worcester ($57,830). A typical home costs $482,611, or 9.8 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $49,140 is worth in another city

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in other Massachusetts cities

Worcester ranks 3rd of 4 Massachusetts metro areas for this job; Pittsfield pays the most ($62,350).

All Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salaries in Massachusetts

Highest-paying cities for paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders

Cedar Rapids, IA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($70,830).

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary by city

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Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Worcester: questions

How much do paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders make an hour in Worcester?

$23.63 an hour on average, and $22.69 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders salary in Worcester?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,050 a year and the 25th percentile is $41,720, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders take-home pay in Worcester?

About $39,527 a year ($3,294 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $49,140. Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums are not included.

Do paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders earn more in Worcester than elsewhere?

The average here is 7% less than the U.S. average for this job ($52,840).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-9196; area Worcester, MA (49340). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.4%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 2.78, this job is 2.8 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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