Salary guide

Food Batchmaker Salary & Pay Scale (2026)

What food batchmakers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How much does a food batchmaker make?

The median food batchmaker salary in the U.S. is $42,290 per year, or $20.33 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $31,990, while the top 10% earned more than $58,940.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Food Batchmaker pay scale

Food Batchmaker pay by percentile, May 2025
PercentileAnnualHourly*What it usually reflects
10th percentile$31,990$15.38Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings
25th percentile$36,350$17.48Early career, a year or two of experience
Median (50th)$42,290$20.33Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$49,670$23.88Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers
90th percentile$58,940$28.34Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas

*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.

Monthly and biweekly pay

Pay periodAt 25th percentileAt medianAt 75th percentile
Per year$36,350$42,290$49,670
Per month$3,029$3,524$4,139
Every two weeks$1,398$1,627$1,910
Per week$699$813$955

Gross pay before taxes and deductions.

What affects food batchmaker pay

  • Certifications such as ASE, FAA A&P or manufacturer credentials
  • Flat-rate versus hourly pay plans in repair shops
  • Industry (aerospace and utilities often pay more than general repair)
  • Shift work and overtime in plants running around the clock
  • Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median

How to earn more as a food batchmaker

  1. Get credentialed: Food safety training, PCQI, Forklift certification.
  2. Build specialty experience: Lead.
  3. Move up: roles such as quality technician and production supervisor typically pay more.
  4. Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.

Food Batchmaker pay vs. related careers

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of food batchmakers to change by +6.5% from 2025–35, faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 23,100 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.

About this data

Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 51-3092 (“Food batchmakers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.

Food Batchmaker salary FAQ

How much does a food batchmaker make per hour?

The median hourly wage for food batchmakers was $20.33 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $15.38 and the top 10% earned about $28.34 or more.

How much does a food batchmaker make a month?

At the median annual wage of $42,290, that works out to about $3,524 per month before taxes, or about $1,627 every two weeks.

What is the starting salary for a food batchmaker?

New food batchmakers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $31,990 and the 25th percentile was $36,350 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.

How can food batchmakers earn more?

Common ways include earning Food safety training and PCQI, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as quality technician.

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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