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Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Pennsylvania (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary grow from entry-level to senior in Pennsylvania? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

47% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Pennsylvania salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$34,960
$2,913/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$42,710
$3,559/mo
Senior (P90)
$51,520
$4,293/mo

Pennsylvania vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$34,960
National: $33,723
+3.7%
Mid-Career (Median)
$42,710
National: $41,230
+3.6%
Senior (P90)
$51,520
National: $51,960
-0.8%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Pennsylvania spans from $34,960 at entry-level to $51,520 at senior level — a difference of $16,560 per year.

P10
$34K
P25
$37K
Median
$42K
P75
$47K
P90
$51K

Career Growth Premium: +47%

Senior Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenderss in Pennsylvania earn $16,560 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$16,560
Monthly Difference
+$1,380
Hourly Difference
+$7.96
Growth Multiple
1.5x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary increases with experience in Pennsylvania, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $34,960 $2,913 $16.81
Early Career P25 $37,160 $3,097 $17.87
Mid-Career Median $42,710 $3,559 $20.53
Experienced P75 $47,050 $3,921 $22.62
Senior / Expert P90 $51,520 $4,293 $24.77
Key Insight

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Pennsylvania has a moderate salary progression with a 47% growth from entry-level ($34,960) to senior ($51,520). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($42,710) and P90 ($51,520) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Pennsylvania Compares to Other States

Where does Pennsylvania rank for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders senior-level salaries? Compare Pennsylvania's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$75,380
Entry: $36K
+106%
2
$62,620
Entry: $40K
+56%
3
$62,560
Entry: $35K
+78%
4
$61,360
Entry: $18K
+228%
5
$60,660
Entry: $41K
+48%
6
$60,400
Entry: $35K
+73%
7
$60,250
Entry: $36K
+66%
8
$57,390
Entry: $34K
+64%
9
$57,020
Entry: $28K
+98%
10
$56,530
Entry: $37K
+50%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?

Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenderss (10th percentile) earn approximately $34,960 per year, or $2,913 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $37,160. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make?

Senior Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenderss (90th percentile) earn approximately $51,520 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $47,050. This represents a career premium of 47% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?

The career salary growth potential for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenderss is 47%. Entry-level professionals start at $34,960, while senior-level can earn up to $51,520 — a difference of $16,560 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenderss?

The highest-paying state for senior Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenderss is Pennsylvania, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $51,520 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Pennsylvania from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Pennsylvania.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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