Packaging Machine Operator III Salary in the United States
How much does a Packaging Machine Operator III make in the United States?
As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Packaging Machine Operator III in the United States is $49,379 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.
However, a Packaging Machine Operator III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Top Earners (90th percentile): $60,360
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $44,700 to $55,127
Key Factors That Influence Packaging Machine Operator III Salaries
A Packaging Machine Operator III'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, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
How Experience Level Affects Packaging Machine Operator Salaries?
Experience is a primary driver of a Packaging Machine Operator III'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:
Packaging Machine Operator I (0-1 years): $38,897
Packaging Machine Operator II (1-3 years): $44,464
Packaging Machine Operator III (3-5 years): $49,379
Packaging Supervisor (5+ years): $84,498
Packaging Manager (5+ years): $114,273
Job Role
Years of Experience
Average Salary
Packaging Machine Operator I
0-1 years
$38,897
Packaging Machine Operator II
1-3 years
$44,464
Packaging Machine Operator III
3-5 years
$49,379
Packaging Supervisor
5+ years
$84,498
Packaging Manager
5+ years
$114,273
$38,897Packaging...
$44,464Packaging...
$49,379Packaging...
$84,498Packaging...
$114,273Packaging...
View as Table
View as Graph
What Am I Worth?
How Do Packaging Machine Operator III Salaries Vary from State to State?
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 Packaging Machine Operator IIIs.
For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
District of Columbia: $54,672.
California: $54,465.
Massachusetts: $53,739.
District of Columbia$54,672
California$54,465
Massachusetts$53,739
Washington$53,542
New Jersey$53,522
Alaska$53,453
Connecticut$52,771
New York$52,495
Hawaii$51,611
Rhode Island$51,196
Maryland$50,915
Minnesota$50,530
Colorado$50,381
Illinois$50,332
Oregon$50,144
Delaware$50,006
New Hampshire$49,919
Virginia$49,725
Pennsylvania$49,157
Nevada$48,870
North Dakota$48,777
Michigan$48,628
Wisconsin$48,574
Vermont$48,465
Texas$48,164
Maine$48,145
Arizona$48,115
Ohio$48,080
Georgia$47,626
Indiana$47,399
Wyoming$47,354
Utah$47,285
Iowa$47,256
Kansas$47,019
Louisiana$46,950
North Carolina$46,925
Missouri$46,915
Florida$46,722
Montana$46,619
Nebraska$46,520
Kentucky$46,466
South Carolina$46,268
Tennessee$46,145
Idaho$46,095
New Mexico$45,735
Oklahoma$45,656
Alabama$45,364
South Dakota$44,876
Arkansas$44,609
West Virginia$44,466
Mississippi$44,036
Top Paying Cities for Packaging Machine Operator IIIs
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:
San Jose: $62,282
San Francisco: $61,600
Oakland: $60,302
San Jose, CA$62,282
San Francisco, CA$61,600
Oakland, CA$60,302
New York, NY$56,854
Paramus, NJ$56,163
Queens Village, NY$56,161
Passaic, NJ$56,114
Bergenfield, NJ$56,109
Stamford, CT$56,001
Huntington, NY$55,980
Newark, NJ$55,616
Bridgeport, CT$55,511
Vallejo, CA$55,413
New Brunswick, NJ$55,393
Petaluma, CA$55,364
Middlesex, NJ$55,270
Somerset, NJ$55,235
Santa Cruz, CA$55,171
Boston, MA$54,870
Monterey, CA$54,697
Seattle, WA$54,584
Santa Rosa, CA$54,574
Los Angeles, CA$54,559
Juneau, AK$54,430
Washington, DC$54,376
Orange, CA$54,200
Santa Ana, CA$54,070
Long Beach, CA$54,021
Anaheim, CA$54,011
Anchorage, AK$53,986
Santa Maria, CA$53,838
Everett, WA$53,828
Danbury, CT$53,654
Bremerton, WA$53,586
Tacoma, WA$53,408
New Suffolk, NY$53,407
Sacramento, CA$53,394
Santa Barbara, CA$53,339
Trenton, NJ$53,285
San Diego, CA$53,285
Brockton, MA$53,231
Fairbanks, AK$53,110
Lompoc, CA$52,984
Lowell, MA$52,944
Ventura, CA$52,934
Nashua, NH$52,924
Stockton, CA$52,919
Modesto, CA$52,559
Poughkeepsie, NY$52,450
Olympia, WA$52,357
Kennewick, WA$52,357
New Haven, CT$52,337
Lawrence, MA$52,159
Hartford, CT$52,110
Riverside, CA$52,100
New Bedford, MA$52,050
Richland, WA$52,050
Bakersfield, CA$51,981
San Bernardino, CA$51,962
New Britain, CT$51,957
Atlantic City, NJ$51,957
New London, CT$51,937
Norwich, CT$51,922
Portsmouth, NH$51,912
Boulder, CO$51,807
Portland, OR$51,739
Worcester, MA$51,734
Minneapolis, MN$51,581
Philadelphia, PA$51,512
Honolulu, HI$51,349
Saint Paul, MN$51,326
Vineland, NJ$51,315
Providence, RI$51,171
Chicago, IL$51,028
Bellingham, WA$50,969
Springfield, MA$50,930
Baltimore, MD$50,915
Chico, CA$50,791
Pittsfield, MA$50,658
Manchester, NH$50,564
Spokane, WA$50,347
Denver, CO$50,342
Albany, NY$50,110
Troy, NY$50,090
Nassau, NY$50,037
Schenectady, NY$49,986
Wilmington, DE$49,947
Burlington, VT$49,878
Salem, OR$49,858
Portland, ME$49,705
Yakima, WA$49,656
Rochester, MN$49,502
Reno, NV$49,478
Fresno, CA$49,478
Milwaukee, WI$49,433
Detroit, MI$49,384
Ann Arbor, MI$49,376
Allentown, PA$49,369
Colorado Springs, CO$49,285
Syracuse, NY$49,260
Carson City, NV$49,260
Houston, TX$49,191
Eugene, OR$49,167
Gary, IN$49,107
Springfield, OR$49,068
Bismarck, ND$49,058
Galveston, TX$49,023
Medford, OR$48,949
Fort Collins, CO$48,930
Concord, NH$48,905
Austin, TX$48,890
Mesa, AZ$48,786
Reading, PA$48,782
Phoenix, AZ$48,777
Dallas, TX$48,762
Saint Cloud, MN$48,714
Madison, WI$48,648
Utica, NY$48,515
Rochester, NY$48,436
Des Moines, IA$48,431
Raleigh, NC$48,426
Atlanta, GA$48,352
Battle Creek, MI$48,337
Salt Lake City, UT$48,322
Lancaster, PA$48,248
Harrisburg, PA$48,179
Kansas City, MO$48,130
Champaign, IL$48,120
Kansas City, KS$48,120
Fort Worth, TX$48,115
Columbus, OH$48,107
Boca Raton, FL$48,095
Pittsburgh, PA$48,075
Richmond, VA$48,056
Indianapolis, IN$48,046
Cleveland, OH$48,041
Las Vegas, NV$47,982
Cincinnati, OH$47,982
Petersburg, VA$47,908
Huntsville, AL$47,833
Lansing, MI$47,800
Lebanon, PA$47,794
Pueblo, CO$47,789
Appleton, WI$47,774
Buffalo, NY$47,754
Dayton, OH$47,740
Racine, WI$47,730
Charlotte, NC$47,725
Saint Louis, MO$47,710
York, PA$47,680
Elkhart, IN$47,680
Gastonia, NC$47,671
Billings, MT$47,659
Beaumont, TX$47,646
Lorain, OH$47,636
Benton Harbor, MI$47,626
Toledo, OH$47,616
Binghamton, NY$47,591
Rock Hill, SC$47,587
Rockford, IL$47,562
Springfield, IL$47,542
Elyria, OH$47,537
Fargo, ND$47,537
Flagstaff, AZ$47,503
Fort Lauderdale, FL$47,473
Duluth, MN$47,443
Miami, FL$47,443
Cheyenne, WY$47,409
Grand Forks, ND$47,409
Bangor, ME$47,300
Cedar Rapids, IA$47,246
Durham, NC$47,225
Louisville, KY$47,221
Grand Rapids, MI$47,211
Hialeah, FL$47,206
Casper, WY$47,137
Scranton, PA$47,078
New Orleans, LA$47,063
Virginia Beach, VA$47,058
Akron, OH$47,033
Peoria, IL$46,969
Sarasota, FL$46,959
Nashville, TN$46,925
Omaha, NE$46,925
Green Bay, WI$46,925
Baton Rouge, LA$46,900
Charleston, SC$46,890
Jamestown, NY$46,866
Davenport, IA$46,866
Tucson, AZ$46,841
Saint Petersburg, FL$46,811
Tampa, FL$46,801
Evansville, IN$46,772
Port Arthur, TX$46,772
Bradenton, FL$46,752
Santa Fe, NM$46,663
Orlando, FL$46,574
Clearwater, FL$46,559
Canton, OH$46,456
La Crosse, WI$46,456
Albuquerque, NM$46,426
Newport News, VA$46,421
High Point, NC$46,406
Ogden, UT$46,387
Corpus Christi, TX$46,347
Norfolk, VA$46,318
Laramie, WY$46,318
Rock Island, IL$46,288
Saginaw, MI$46,278
Jacksonville, FL$46,273
Salisbury, NC$46,263
Boise, ID$46,253
Moline, IL$46,229
Fort Myers, FL$46,214
Memphis, TN$46,204
Tulsa, OK$46,179
Waterloo, IA$46,150
Spartanburg, SC$46,100
Lincoln, NE$46,076
Fort Wayne, IN$46,066
Provo, UT$46,061
Cedar Falls, IA$46,001
San Antonio, TX$45,982
Greensboro, NC$45,962
South Bend, IN$45,957
Savannah, GA$45,903
Muskegon, MI$45,883
Birmingham, AL$45,878
Winston Salem, NC$45,854
Lake Charles, LA$45,735
Anderson, IN$45,725
Lexington, KY$45,710
Augusta, GA$45,695
Greenville, SC$45,695
Lima, OH$45,656
Wichita, KS$45,651
Tuscaloosa, AL$45,651
Columbia, SC$45,606
Springfield, OH$45,597
Asheville, NC$45,518
Bloomington, IN$45,483
Knoxville, TN$45,305
Shreveport, LA$45,300
Wilmington, NC$45,236
Roanoke, VA$45,236
Topeka, KS$45,147
Frankfort, KY$45,142
Oklahoma City, OK$45,108
Chillicothe, OH$45,088
Longview, TX$45,083
Melbourne, FL$45,078
Sioux Falls, SD$44,999
Mobile, AL$44,994
Terre Haute, IN$44,974
Altoona, PA$44,945
Amarillo, TX$44,910
Killeen, TX$44,895
Fayetteville, AR$44,856
Chattanooga, TN$44,841
Sioux City, IA$44,797
Idaho Falls, ID$44,787
Lynchburg, VA$44,747
Gainesville, FL$44,683
Portsmouth, OH$44,658
Little Rock, AR$44,648
Lafayette, LA$44,629
Youngstown, OH$44,629
Daytona Beach, FL$44,599
Clarksville, TN$44,594
Pensacola, FL$44,589
Temple, TX$44,586
Hopkinsville, KY$44,441
Erie, PA$44,431
Florence, SC$44,411
Charleston, WV$44,332
Great Falls, MT$44,308
Macon, GA$44,239
Tallahassee, FL$44,234
Fayetteville, NC$44,224
Waco, TX$44,214
Helena, MT$44,179
Pine Bluff, AR$44,161
Vincennes, IN$44,100
Lubbock, TX$44,081
Alamogordo, NM$44,051
Twin Falls, ID$44,007
Rapid City, SD$43,992
Jackson, MS$43,903
Huntington, WV$43,899
Greenville, MS$43,898
Parkersburg, WV$43,848
Montgomery, AL$43,839
Wichita Falls, TX$43,789
Springfield, MO$43,789
Biloxi, MS$43,765
Monroe, LA$43,715
Johnstown, PA$43,681
Sumter, SC$43,661
Columbus, GA$43,656
Pascagoula, MS$43,562
Abilene, TX$43,562
Kingsport, TN$43,434
Albany, GA$43,434
Gulfport, MS$43,419
Alexandria, LA$43,256
Fort Smith, AR$43,133
El Paso, TX$42,999
Las Cruces, NM$42,777
Harlingen, TX$42,652
Pocatello, ID$42,644
Florence, AL$42,580
Brownsville, TX$42,570
Mcallen, TX$42,466
Dothan, AL$42,397
Columbus, MS$42,103
Altus, OK$41,873
Lawton, OK$41,780
Pierre, SD$41,602
What Skills Can Increase a Packaging Machine Operator III's Salary?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 3.68% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
Product Quality (Mentioned in 2.35% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
SOP (Mentioned in 1.53% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
See More Skills
Skills
Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting
3.68%
Product Quality
2.35%
SOP
1.53%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay.
Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Packaging Machine Operator III's salary.
Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Team Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill
Salary
Salary % Increase
Innovation
$54,811
11%
Process Improvement
$54,811
11%
Team Operations
$54,317
10%
Dedication
$53,823
9%
Troubleshooting
$52,836
7%
Collaboration
$51,848
5%
Get Latest Data
Packaging Machine Operator III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise
Packaging Machine Operator III salary potential scales significantly with company size.
Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $55,230.
While startup companies pay approximate $46,708.
Packaging Machine Operator III Salary by Company Size
Company Size
Employees
Average Salary
Startup
1~50
$46,708
Growth Stage
51~500
$49,401
Established
501~5000
$53,335
Enterprise
5000+
$55,230
Packaging Machine Operator III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors
For Packaging Machine Operator III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential
by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries).
Data shows that the Financial Services and Energy & Utilities
sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average.
In contrast, Packaging Machine Operator positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay,
as these industries often view Packaging Machine Operator III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
The top paying industries for a Packaging Machine Operator III
Industry Sector
Average Annual Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services
$61,724
$30.0
25%
Energy & Utilities
$59,255
$28.0
20%
Biotechnology
$56,786
$27.0
15%
Software & Networking
$56,786
$27.0
15%
Aerospace & Defense
$54,317
$26.0
10%
How Education impacts a Packaging Machine Operator III's Salary?
Your level of education can impact your salary potential.
While many Packaging Machine Operator IIIs enter the field with a No Diploma degree,
higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data,
the median salary for a Packaging Machine Operator III with a No Diploma is between
$48,409
and $52,084).
Packaging Machine Operator III Salaries by Degree Level
Typical Education for Packaging Machine Operator III
No Diploma87.5%
High School87.5%
Associates0.0%
Bachelors12.5%
Masters0.0%
Doctorate0.0%
view as table
Degree Level
% of user with this level of education
No Diploma
87.5%
High School
87.5%
Associates
0.0%
Bachelors
12.5%
Masters
0.0%
Doctorate
0.0%
view as graph
Packaging Machine Operator III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay
Understanding how a Packaging Machine Operator III'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.
Hourly
Monthly
Weekly
Yearly
Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$44,700
Average$49,379/year
$55,127
$3,725
Average$4,115/month
$4,594
$860
Average$950/week
$1,060
$21
Average$24/hour
$27
Annual Salary
Monthly Pay
Weekly Pay
Hourly Wage
75th Percentile
$55,127
$4,594
$1,060
$27
Average
$49,379
$4,115
$950
$24
25th Percentile
$44,700
$3,725
$860
$21
Packaging Machine Operator III Salary Growth & Career Path
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings.
As a Packaging Machine Operator III, 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.
Packaging Machine Operator III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role
Estimate Salary
Projected Raise
Machine Operator IV
$55,451
12%
Machinist IV
$73,351
49%
CNC Machine Operator III
$71,319
44%
Packaging Supervisor
$84,498
71%
Salaries of jobs related to Packaging Machine Operator III
Salaries for a Packaging Machine Operator III can change over time,
reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy.
The median salary decreased from $47,491 in 2023
to around $47,039 in 2025,
reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy.
For a detailed analysis of Packaging Machine Operator III salary trends,
.
Average Annual Salary of Packaging Machine Operator III Over Time
2022
$???
2023
$47,491
2024
$47,355
2025
$47,039
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year
Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023
$47,491
2024
$47,355
2025
$47,039
2026
View More
2027
View More
Most common benefits for Packaging Machine Operator III
Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Packaging Machine Operator III
Here are companies hiring for Packaging Machine Operator III and their salaries, click below for more details.
C
$128,509/per year
C R Bard Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
H
$124,697/per year
Henry Schein Canada
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$123,899/per year
Nordex Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$120,416/per year
Nipro Corp
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$115,870/per year
Enovis
Biotechnology
the United States
A
$114,553/per year
Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy
Biotechnology
the United States
M
$112,110/per year
MiniMed Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$111,500/per year
Labcorp Drug Development
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$110,229/per year
Life Technologies Corp
Biotechnology
the United States
Z
$106,224/per year
Zimmer Biomet
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$103,077/per year
Promontory Therapeutics
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$102,181/per year
Steris PLC
Biotechnology
the United States
G
$97,274/per year
Gavin Conferences Pty Ltd
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$94,764/per year
Endeavor BioMedicines
Biotechnology
the United States
R
$94,402/per year
Replay Holdings LLC
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$94,235/per year
Pleno Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$93,666/per year
Simulaids Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
N
$88,880/per year
NOIRLab/CAS
Biotechnology
the United States
O
$86,468/per year
Onward Technology
Biotechnology
the United States
L
$84,895/per year
LED Medical Diagnostics Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
E
$84,682/per year
Eyeco Ltd
Biotechnology
the United States
P
$84,523/per year
Paerosol
Biotechnology
the United States
I
$83,525/per year
IONIQ Sciences Inc
Biotechnology
the United States
S
$82,815/per year
Stateside PPE
Biotechnology
the United States
D
$82,041/per year
Digi Bio
Biotechnology
the United States
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FAQ about Packaging Machine Operator III
1. Where can a Packaging Machine Operator III earn the most?
A Packaging Machine Operator III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer.
According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Packaging Machine Operator III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Packaging Machine Operator III is $62,282.
2. What is the highest pay for Packaging Machine Operator III?
The highest pay for Packaging Machine Operator III is $60,360.
3. What is the lowest pay for Packaging Machine Operator III?
The lowest pay for Packaging Machine Operator III is $40,440.
4. What are the responsibilities of Packaging Machine Operator III?
Sets up and operates a packaging machine in accordance with established procedures and guidelines. Fills, secures, and labels containers according to company and/or customer specifications. Verifies goods packaged against package invoices. Reads and interprets blueprints and diagrams to select, position and secure machinery. Adjusts machine settings to complete tasks accurately, according to specifications, and in a timely fashion. Documents inventory number and weight and organizes packages. May make minor repairs to packaging equipment as needed. May have to complete an apprenticeship and/or formal training in area of specialty. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.
5. What industry pays the highest salary for Packaging Machine Operator III?
The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Packaging Machine Operator III roles,
with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.
Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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