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Retort operator and food cooking machine operator: pay, job outlook and how to start

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$41,590median pay per year, or $20.00 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $31,680lowest 10% earn less
  2. $36,19025th percentile
  3. $41,590median
  4. $47,38075th percentile
  5. $54,410top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Food cooking machine operators and tenders, the BLS category covered on this page, had a median pay of $41,590 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to shrink 0.3% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-0.3%[2]
Openings per year
3,700[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do food cooking machine operators and tenders make?

The median pay was $41,590 a year, or $20.00 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $42,570 a year, or $20.47 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[4].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $31,680 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $54,410[3]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8].

Level Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[3][9] $31,680 $15.23
25th percentile[3][9] $36,190 $17.40
Median[1] $41,590 $20.00
75th percentile[3][9] $47,380 $22.78
90th percentile[3][9] $54,410 $26.16

These numbers cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses not tied to production, and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].

Pay by state and city

Washington had the highest median pay at $51,100 a year, followed by Utah at $48,620 and Massachusetts at $47,960[11]. Alabama was last on the list at $27,080[11].

The states with the most jobs were Texas (3,180), Illinois (2,460) and California (2,010)[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Modesto, CA had the highest median at $59,010[13]. Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA followed at $57,490, then Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA at $56,190[13]. The metro area with the most jobs was Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, with 1,900 jobs and a median of $44,280[14].

Show median pay in 41 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Washington[11]$51,100310
Utah$48,620390
Massachusetts$47,960170
Iowa$47,900850
Michigan$47,260380
Minnesota$47,2501,410
Colorado$46,900300
Kansas$45,850750
New York$45,6801,300
Tennessee$45,6201,820
Nebraska$45,420670
Idaho$45,120790
California$44,7402,010
Oregon$44,530570
Louisiana$44,440550
Arizona$44,050560
Indiana$43,350540
Pennsylvania$42,7101,580
Illinois$42,6702,460
Missouri$42,160620
Kentucky$41,800300
Ohio$41,160980
Arkansas$40,480330
New Hampshire$40,440110
Wisconsin$40,000850
South Dakota$39,270120
North Carolina$39,070770
Connecticut$38,88060
Georgia$38,440690
South Carolina$38,220520
Maine$37,500170
New Jersey$37,180430
Maryland$36,960n/a
Nevada$36,610n/a
Florida$36,450970
Oklahoma$36,0301,140
Virginia$35,140510
Texas$33,9803,180
Delaware$31,240n/a
Mississippi$31,150110
Alabama$27,080250

How to become a food cooking machine operator

The training details here come from a BLS profile that covers a wider group of food processing equipment jobs[15].

In an ONET survey of 17 workers, 86% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required and 14% said a post-secondary certificate[19]. Because workers often adjust ingredient amounts, math and reading skills are helpful[20]. ONET places the job in Job Zone 1-2, which means very little to some preparation is needed[21].

What food cooking machine operators and tenders do

O*NET describes the work as running or tending cooking equipment, such as steam vats, deep fryers, pressure cookers, kettles and boilers, in order to make food products[22]. Common tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as cooker operator, fryer operator, oven operator and food production worker[24].

Where they work

Food manufacturing employed 78% of food processing equipment workers in 2025[25]. These plants are typically large, open floors with loud machinery. Workers at cooking equipment are often exposed to high heat, and work with chilled or frozen goods can mean long periods in the cold[26]. Depending on the food, workers may wear ear protection, masks, hairnets or gloves[27].

Workers usually stand during shifts. Loading, unloading or cleaning equipment can involve lifting, bending and reaching[28]. Boxes of ingredients can weigh up to 50 pounds[29].

Most food processing equipment workers are employed full time, and part-time work may be common for this occupation. Shift work is common and can include early mornings, evenings or nights[30]. Some food processing positions are seasonal[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to decline 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, a change of about 100 jobs from roughly 31,200[2]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[32]. BLS points to automation, such as robotics, as a factor that makes food production need fewer workers[33].

Even so, BLS expects about 3,700 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs that come up when workers retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 5.6% of workers leave the labor force and 6.3% move to a different occupation[34].

The May 2025 wage survey counted about 31,250 wage and salary jobs[35].

Is it a good fit?

The facts describe a job with a modest entry bar. A high school diploma or equivalent is typical, no related experience is expected, and training happens on the job[6]. Median pay of $41,590 is below the all-occupations median of $50,980[1][4]. Total employment is projected to dip slightly while openings continue from turnover[2][5]. The setting can be hot, loud and on your feet, with shift work[26][28][30]. State medians ranged from $27,080 to $51,100, so local pay is worth checking[11].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a food cooking machine operator make an hour?
The median was $20.00 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $20.47[1][7]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $15.23 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $26.16[9].
What education do you need to be a food cooking machine operator?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, with moderate-term on-the-job training[6].
Is food cooking machine operator work in demand?
BLS projects a 0.3% decline from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[2][32]. About 3,700 openings a year are expected[5].
What is the highest paying state for food cooking machine operators and tenders?
Washington, with a median of $51,100 a year, followed by Utah at $48,620 and Massachusetts at $47,960[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in the US was $41,590 per year and $20.00 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders is projected to decline 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 31,200 to 31,200 jobs (a change of -100). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders: 10th percentile $31,680, 25th percentile $36,190, 75th percentile $47,380, 90th percentile $54,410. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 3,700 openings for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders was $42,570 per year and $20.47 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders: 10th percentile $15.23, 25th percentile $17.40, 75th percentile $22.78, 90th percentile $26.16. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders jobs: Texas 3,180; Illinois 2,460; California 2,010; Tennessee 1,820; Pennsylvania 1,580. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders (areas with at least 100 jobs): Modesto, CA $59,010; Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $57,490; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $56,190; Memphis, TN-MS-AR $55,270; Sioux City, IA-NE-SD $51,600; Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $49,220; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $48,980; Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $48,460. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders jobs: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 1,900 (median $44,280); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 880 (median $41,590); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 850 (median $35,240); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 600 (median $32,180); San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX 530 (median $30,340); Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 520 (median $36,740). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Food Processing Equipment Workers" covers Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. O*NET 51-3093.00 survey of workers (17 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 86%, Post-Secondary Certificate 14% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 51-3093.00: Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. O*NET OnLine
  22. O*NET description of Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders. O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET task list for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET 51-3093.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Cooker Operator, Food Production Worker, Fryer Operator, Kettle Fry Cook Operator, Machine Operator, Mogul Operator, Oven Operator, Peeler Operator. O*NET OnLine
  25. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of food processing equipment workers in 2025: Food manufacturing 78%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders: Productivity change - share decreases as an expected increase in the adoption of automation technologies, such as robotics, makes food production processes more labor efficient. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders: 5.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 31,250 people were employed as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.