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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Production Machine Operator in Virginia is $41,151 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.
However, a Production Machine Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Production Machine Operator Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $44,330 | $3,694 | $853 | $21 |
| Average | $41,151 | $3,429 | $791 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,840 | $3,153 | $728 | $18 |
AtWork - Richmond, VA
IPEX - Lynchburg, VA
PepsiCo - Wytheville, VA
PepsiCo, Inc. - Wytheville, VA
A Production Machine Operator'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'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Productio... Level Production Machine Operator | $40,917 |
| Machine O... Level Production Machine Operator | $45,473 |
| Machine O... Level Production Machine Operator | $51,595 |
| Machine O... Level Production Machine Operator | $55,442 |
| Machine O... Level Production Machine Operator | $80,551 |
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 Operators. 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:
For Production Machine Operator 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 as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFG Nondurable | $55,554 | $27.0 | 35% |
| Financial Services | $53,496 | $26.0 | 30% |
| Media | $51,438 | $25.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $49,381 | $24.0 | 20% |
| Insurance | $47,323 | $23.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Production Machine Operator'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 | $44,330 | $3,694 | $853 | $21 |
| Average | $41,151 | $3,429 | $791 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,840 | $3,153 | $728 | $18 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Production Machine Operator job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Print Mail Communications, Inc.
Fredericksburg, VA
Print Mail Communications, Inc. | Fredericksburg, VA
PMC Inc.is a high-volume direct mail production facility.We print, cut, trim, fold and inserted mail projects with inserting machines and at a fast pace.In... more
3 Days Ago
Multi-Color Corporation
Chesapeake, VA
Multi-Color Corporation | Chesapeake, VA
Join Our Team as a Machine Operator. As the global leader of premium labels, MCC helps brands stand out in competitive markets and inspire positive consume... more
3 Days Ago
Perdue Farms
Accomac, VA
Perdue Farms | Accomac, VA
Machine Operator. Be a key player in keeping production moving. As a Machine Operator, you'll maintain, service, and perform repairs on production equipmen... more
3 Days Ago
Usam DC, LLC
Manassas, VA
Usam DC, LLC | Manassas, VA
Machinist Position. USAM DC is searching for a skilled Machinist to join our off-shift team. Positions are needed for operation of Machine Centers such as ... more
3 Days Ago
Hampton Farms
Franklin, VA
Hampton Farms | Franklin, VA
Machine Operator. This position is based at our Hampton Farms location in Franklin, VA. MUST have your OWN resume attached with a personal email listed. Ha... more
3 Days Ago
Staffmark
Orange, VA
Staffmark | Orange, VA
Machine Operator. Total Talent Solutions is now hiring a machine operator in Orange, VA. The pay rate is $17.37 per hour for the 2nd shift, which runs from... more
3 Days Ago
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