Manufacturing Operator I Salary in the United States

How much does a Manufacturing Operator I make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Manufacturing Operator I in the United States is $53,835 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

However, a Manufacturing Operator I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $63,205
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $48,787 to $58,740
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $44,192
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View as table View as graph 25% $48,787 10% $44,192 90% $63,205 75% $58,740 $53,835 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Manufacturing Operator I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $58,740 $4,895 $1,130 $28
Average $53,835 $4,486 $1,035 $26
25th Percentile $48,787 $4,066 $938 $23
Check out Manufacturing Operator I Job Openings in the United States
Advanced Manufacturing/Production Operator with Security Clearance

Catapult Staffing - SCOTTSDALE, AZ

U105 Electronic Manufacturing Specialist (EMS/Operator) with Security Clearance

Northrop Grumman - BALTIMORE, MD

Manufacturing Draftsman/Engineer (7 Years Exp.)

Machine and Process Design - ANOKA, MN

Remedial Daywork Operator

Nine Energy Service - CHARLEROI, PA

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Key Factors That Influence Manufacturing Operator I Salaries

A Manufacturing 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Manufacturing Operator I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Manufacturing 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $53,090
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $53,474
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $54,340
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $54,917
  • Expert (over 8 years): $55,061
Levels Salary
Entry Level Manufacturing Operator I$53,090
Intermediate Level Manufacturing Operator I$53,474
Senior Level Manufacturing Operator I$54,340
Specialist Level Manufacturing Operator I$54,917
Expert Level Manufacturing Operator I$55,061
$53,090 0 yr
$53,474 < 2 yrs
$54,340 2-4 yrs
$54,917 5-8 yrs
$55,061 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Manufacturing Operator I 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 Manufacturing Operator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $59,606.
  • California: $59,380.
  • Massachusetts: $58,589.

Top Paying Cities for Manufacturing Operator Is

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: $67,902
  • San Francisco: $67,234
  • Oakland: $65,743

What Skills Can Increase a Manufacturing Operator I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 4.69% 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 3.34% 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.
  • 5S (Mentioned in 1.93% Job Postings): Stands for sort, sustain, set in order, standardized and shine. 5 tips that are designed to achieve clean, uncluttered, safe, and well organized workplace for a more systematized work flow.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 4.69%
Product Quality 3.34%
5S 1.93%
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 Manufacturing Operator I's salary.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • SOP: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Scheduling
 $57,065
6%
Collaboration
 $55,988
4%
SOP
 $55,988
4%
Written Communication
 $55,988
4%
Process Improvement
 $55,988
4%
Leadership
 $55,988
4%
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How Education impacts a Manufacturing Operator I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Manufacturing Operator Is enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Manufacturing Operator I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $44,344 and $47,881).

Manufacturing Operator I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Manufacturing Operator I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 36.4%
Associates 20.6%
Bachelors 37.4%
Masters 4.7%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Manufacturing Operator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Manufacturing 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$48,787
Average $53,835/year
$58,740
$4,066
Average $4,486/month
$4,895
$938
Average $1,035/week
$1,130
$23
Average $26/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $58,740 $4,895 $1,130 $28
Average $53,835 $4,486 $1,035 $26
25th Percentile $48,787 $4,066 $938 $23

Salaries of jobs related to Manufacturing Operator I

Salary Trends for Manufacturing Operator I

Salaries for a Manufacturing Operator I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $44,516 in 2023 to around $42,839 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Manufacturing Operator I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Manufacturing Operator I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$44,516
2024
$43,462
2025
$42,839
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $44,516
2024 $43,462
2025 $42,839
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Manufacturing Operator I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Manufacturing Operator I

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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.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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