Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Production Machine Operator I in New Jersey is $44,360 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.
However, a Production Machine Operator I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Smart Recruiting
Production Machine Operator I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $47,750 | $3,979 | $918 | $23 |
| Average | $44,360 | $3,697 | $853 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,690 | $3,391 | $783 | $20 |
Almetek Industries, Inc. - Hackettstown, NJ
DASON STAINLESS PRODUCTS CO - Rahway, NJ
Swift Staffing Inc - East Hanover, NJ
The Bachrach Group - Flemington, NJ
A Production Machine Operator I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Production Machine Operator I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Production Machine Operator I | 0-1 years | $44,352 |
| Intermediate Machine Operator | 1-3 years | $49,290 |
| Production Machine Operator III | 3-5 years | $55,927 |
| Manufacturing Machine Operator IV | 5-7 years | $60,097 |
| Production Machine Operations Supervisor | 7+ years | $87,314 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Production Machine Operator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Production Machine Operator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $49,658. While startup companies pay approximate $42,010.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $42,010 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $44,430 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $47,954 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $49,658 |
For Production Machine Operator I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Nondurable and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Production Machine Operator positions in MFG Durable or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Production Machine Operator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFG Nondurable | $59,886 | $29.0 | 35% |
| Financial Services | $57,668 | $28.0 | 30% |
| Media | $55,450 | $27.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $53,232 | $26.0 | 20% |
| Insurance | $51,014 | $25.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Production Machine Operator I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $47,750 | $3,979 | $918 | $23 |
| Average | $44,360 | $3,697 | $853 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,690 | $3,391 | $783 | $20 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Production Machine Operator I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Extruder Operator II | $59,200 | 33% |
| Plastic Injection Molding Operator II | $52,600 | 19% |
| Intermediate Machine Operator | $49,300 | 11% |
| Milling Machine Technician II | $50,800 | 15% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Production Machine Operator I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
International Paper
West Deptford Township, NJ
International Paper | West Deptford Township, NJ
International Paper - Phoenix Drive - Responsibilities: Safely run machines and follow all safety rules and practices at all times. Count and stack finishe... more
2 Days Ago
Blue Blade Steel
Lebanon, NJ
Blue Blade Steel | Lebanon, NJ
Job Description. Job Description. Essential Duties and Responsibilities. Operating forklift. Setting up and preparing machinery for production more
3 Days Ago
CRH
Lyndhurst, NJ
CRH | Lyndhurst, NJ
CRH - - Responsibilities: Read job specifications to determine machine adjustments and material requirements. Set stops or guides to specific lengths as in... more
3 Days Ago
Synerfac Technical Staffing
Wrightstown, NJ
Synerfac Technical Staffing | Wrightstown, NJ
Job Description. Job Description. Press Brake Operator. This role supports a metal fabrication operation specializing in precision‑formed components used a... more
4 Days Ago
Genova Pharma LLC
New Brunswick, NJ
Genova Pharma LLC | New Brunswick, NJ
Job Description. Job Description. Set up machines according to batch records, work instructions, and production schedules. Conduct line clearance, cleaning... more
4 Days Ago
ASTOR CHOCOLATE CORP.
Lakewood, NJ
ASTOR CHOCOLATE CORP. | Lakewood, NJ
Job Description. Job Description. Company Overview. Astor Chocolate is a 4th generation privately held, family-owned company and has been a leading purveyo... more
5 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
