How much does a food batchmaker make?
The median food batchmaker in the United States earns $40,790 per year, about $19.61 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all food batchmakers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-3092.
Food batchmaker salary range
Pay for food batchmakers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $30,850 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $57,800. The average (mean) wage of $42,830 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,850 | $14.83 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,340 | $16.99 | |
| Median (50th) | $40,790 | $19.61 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $49,010 | $23.56 | |
| 90th percentile | $57,800 | $27.79 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for food batchmakers (SOC 51-3092), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Food batchmaker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Food batchmakers earn the most in Iowa at $48,790 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $23,600. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $48,790 | 4,990 |
| Illinois | $48,440 | 13,400 |
| Vermont | $47,390 | 1,080 |
| Missouri | $46,960 | 2,650 |
| Kentucky | $46,900 | 4,660 |
| Wisconsin | $46,760 | 18,610 |
| Indiana | $46,040 | 5,100 |
| Washington | $45,040 | 4,600 |
| Alaska | $44,250 | 110 |
| Idaho | $44,120 | 940 |
| Maryland | $44,060 | 1,230 |
| Georgia | $44,030 | 3,710 |
| Colorado | $43,590 | 3,740 |
| Montana | $42,640 | 160 |
| Kansas | $41,830 | 2,670 |
| Nevada | $41,030 | 940 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,330 | 7,460 |
| California | $40,110 | 11,530 |
| Ohio | $39,760 | 8,390 |
| Virginia | $39,660 | 2,720 |
| New Hampshire | $39,510 | 390 |
| North Carolina | $39,320 | 3,150 |
| Maine | $39,310 | 530 |
| Michigan | $39,290 | 4,950 |
| Arizona | $39,270 | 2,240 |
| Minnesota | $39,180 | 5,930 |
| North Dakota | $39,110 | 200 |
| Tennessee | $39,020 | 2,490 |
| Nebraska | $38,810 | 1,610 |
| Utah | $38,790 | 3,130 |
| Rhode Island | $38,760 | 230 |
| Oregon | $38,600 | 3,210 |
| South Dakota | $38,490 | 640 |
| New York | $37,280 | 8,140 |
| Connecticut | $37,080 | 1,360 |
| Wyoming | $36,610 | 110 |
| Arkansas | $36,550 | 2,430 |
| New Jersey | $36,470 | 4,480 |
| Massachusetts | $36,460 | 5,660 |
| Delaware | $36,340 | 450 |
| Oklahoma | $36,250 | 1,000 |
| Florida | $36,070 | 2,750 |
| New Mexico | $35,940 | 710 |
| South Carolina | $35,870 | 700 |
| Mississippi | $35,320 | 490 |
| Alabama | $35,260 | 1,160 |
| Hawaii | $34,150 | 470 |
| Louisiana | $34,140 | 230 |
| Texas | $33,880 | 13,870 |
| West Virginia | $23,600 | 220 |
State median wages for food batchmakers (SOC 51-3092), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for food batchmakers
The BLS projects employment of food batchmakers to grow 6.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 176,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 188,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 23,100 openings a year for food batchmakers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a food batchmaker
The typical entry-level education for food batchmakers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a food batchmaker earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Iowa, $48,790) and the lowest (West Virginia, $23,600) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 171,660 people work as food batchmakers in the United States. At $40,790 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Food batchmaker salary FAQ
How much does a food batchmaker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a food batchmaker is $19.61. The middle half of food batchmakers earn between $16.99 and $23.56 per hour.
What is the highest food batchmaker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of food batchmakers earn more than $57,800 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a food batchmaker make a year?
The median annual salary for a food batchmaker is $40,790. The average (mean) wage of $42,830 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a food batchmaker a well paid job?
At $40,790 a year, a food batchmaker earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 171,660 people work as food batchmakers in the United States.
Which state pays food batchmakers the most?
Iowa has the highest median salary for food batchmakers at $48,790 a year. Illinois ($48,440) and Vermont ($47,390) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a food batchmaker a good career?
Employment of food batchmakers is projected to grow 6.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 23,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a food batchmaker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for food batchmakers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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