Prevailing Wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
Prevailing wage floors for Closing Machine Operator positions are set by DOL and vary significantly by work location. Whether your offer letter reads Filler Operator, Bundler, or Machine Operator, the same SOC 51-9111 floors apply. DOL establishes four experience-based levels, and the gap between the floor in a Puerto Rico metro and a Colorado or New Hampshire market is substantial.
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Level 1 covers entry-level Closing Machine Operators with limited experience, typically performing routine tasks under close supervision. Workers at this level are still developing familiarity with specific equipment types and production line procedures and generally have no prior machine-tending background.
Level 2 applies to qualified operators with practical experience on packaging or filling equipment who work with moderate supervision. This is the most common filing level for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders, reflecting the occupation's typical mid-tenure workforce profile.
Level 3 covers experienced operators who handle complex setups, troubleshoot equipment malfunctions independently, and may train newer staff. These workers bring several years of hands-on experience across multiple machine types or product lines and require minimal day-to-day supervision.
Level 4 applies to fully competent lead operators or senior machine specialists who oversee production runs, set quality standards, or coordinate across shifts. Employers filing at this level typically document supervisory or technical leadership responsibilities that go beyond standard machine-tending duties.
Prevailing Wage for Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Confirm your title maps to SOC 51-9111
Job postings for Filler Operator, Bundler, or CNC Machine Operator roles can get filed under different SOC codes depending on how HR classifies the position. If your offer uses a title that overlaps with production or assembly occupations, verify the employer's LCA lists SOC 51-9111 before accepting.
Watch for Puerto Rico worksite wage gaps
Prevailing wage floors in Aguadilla, Ponce, and Mayaguez run far below mainland rates for this occupation. If your employment contract lists a Puerto Rico facility as the primary worksite on the LCA, the applicable floor is the local OES wage, not the national median.
Factor out signing bonuses from your wage comparison
DOL's prevailing wage compliance is measured against the base hourly or annualized salary on the LCA. Signing bonuses, shift differentials, and production incentives do not count toward meeting the floor for Closing Machine Operator and Filler Operator filings. Confirm your base rate clears the level independently.
Find employers sponsoring this occupation on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate shows which employers have a documented history of sponsoring Machine Operator and Filler Operator roles, so you can target companies already familiar with filing under SOC 51-9111 rather than employers encountering the process for the first time.
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Find Jobs for Closing Machine OperatorPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-9111.00 alongside Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Bundler Prevailing Wage
Bundler Prevailing Wage
Bundler positions fall under SOC 51-9111.00 (Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Closing Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Closing Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Closing Machine Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9111.00 (Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator (CNC Machine Operator) Prevailing Wage
Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator (CNC Machine Operator) Prevailing Wage
Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator (CNC Machine Operator) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9111.00 (Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Filler Operator Prevailing Wage
Filler Operator Prevailing Wage
Filler Operator positions fall under SOC 51-9111.00 (Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Machine Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9111.00 (Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Packaging Operator Prevailing Wage
Packaging Operator Prevailing Wage
Packaging Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-9111.00 (Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Packing Attendant Prevailing Wage
Packing Attendant Prevailing Wage
Packing Attendant positions fall under SOC 51-9111.00 (Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Packing Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Packing Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Packing Machine Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-9111.00 (Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Closing Machine Operator roles?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For SOC 51-9111, DOL assigns four wage levels based on experience, education, and supervision requirements. Employers must certify on the Labor Condition Application that their offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable level for the worksite location. OFLC publishes these figures and updates them annually.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision. Level 2 reflects qualified workers with practical experience. Level 3 covers experienced operators with independent judgment. Level 4 is for fully competent senior or lead roles. The correct level depends on the job duties listed in the LCA and the employer's internal job description. Review the LCA your employer filed, specifically the wage level box, to confirm which tier applies to your position.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Machine Operator role vary so much between cities?
DOL sets wages using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, so each metro area produces its own wage floors based on local employer survey responses. The LCA worksite rule requires employers to use the wage for the location where you actually perform work, not company headquarters. Markets with dense food processing or manufacturing concentration, such as Cedar Rapids or Fort Collins, tend to produce higher floors than lower-wage regions.
What happens if a sponsored Closing Machine Operator offer is below the prevailing wage?
DOL will not certify an LCA where the offered wage falls below the applicable prevailing wage level. For H-1B purposes, USCIS can deny the petition if the underlying LCA is deficient. For PERM-based green card cases, OFLC conducts its own wage review. An employer who files with a below-floor wage risks audit, denial, and potential debarment from future sponsorship filings. The offer must be corrected before filing.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Filler Operator position in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you enter SOC 51-9111 and a specific metropolitan area to retrieve the four-level wage floors directly from DOL's published tables. Cross-check the wage level your employer selected on the LCA against the duties in your offer letter. Migrate Mate can help you identify which employers have historically sponsored this occupation, narrowing your search to companies already familiar with the filing requirements.
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