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Occupation · SOC 51-3091

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders

There are 20,370 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $44,810 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

ProductionTypical education: No formal educational credential
20,370
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$44,810
Median pay a year
Middle half: $37,540–$50,680
2,500
Annual openings
10-year change: +0.4%
No formal educational credential
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 67 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $47,110 · LCA filings 01,190$47,1100
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $48,330 · LCA filings 0460$48,3300
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $38,230 · LCA filings 0440$38,2300
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $38,060 · LCA filings 0420$38,0600
Omaha, NE–IAMedian pay $43,410 · LCA filings 0380$43,4100
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $48,000 · LCA filings 0340$48,0000
San Antonio–New Braunfels, TXMedian pay $34,170 · LCA filings 0340$34,1700
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $43,940 · LCA filings 0320$43,9400
St. Louis, MO–ILMedian pay $46,860 · LCA filings 0320$46,8600
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $62,890 · LCA filings 0310$62,8900

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDEmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$78,7501200
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COEmployment 310 · LCA filings 0$62,8903100
Modesto, CAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$61,130700
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 280 · LCA filings 0$60,2302800
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$60,170900

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $41,371 · Level III $46,280 · Level IV $51,189$36,462$41,371$46,280$51,189
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $42,037 · Level III $48,006 · Level IV $53,955$36,088$42,037$48,006$53,955
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $39,645 · Level III $42,058 · Level IV $44,450$37,253$39,645$42,058$44,450
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $35,006 · Level III $40,206 · Level IV $45,406$29,806$35,006$40,206$45,406
Omaha, NE–IALevel II $41,413 · Level III $45,219 · Level IV $49,026$37,606$41,413$45,219$49,026
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $46,571 · Level III $52,021 · Level IV $57,470$41,122$46,571$52,021$57,470
San Antonio–New Braunfels, TXLevel II $32,219 · Level III $34,819 · Level IV $37,440$29,598$32,219$34,819$37,440
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $40,664 · Level III $44,554 · Level IV $48,422$36,795$40,664$44,554$48,422
St. Louis, MO–ILLevel II $39,021 · Level III $43,472 · Level IV $47,944$34,549$39,021$43,472$47,944
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $55,765 · Level III $62,109 · Level IV $68,474$49,400$55,765$62,109$68,474

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology