SOC 514022

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.

National Median

$49,240

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$49,240

Entry Level (10th pct)

$35,150

Experienced (90th pct)

$69,540

Total Employed

8,760

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$35,150 - $41,350
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$41,350 - $59,270
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$59,270 - $69,540

Highest Paying Locations for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Worcester, MA

$86,590

+75.9% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$65,690

+33.4% vs national

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

$65,530

+33.1% vs national

New Jersey

$63,630

+29.2% vs national

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

$62,590

+27.1% vs national

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Worcester, MA	$86,590	60
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$65,690	40
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$65,530	60
New Jersey	$63,630	90
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$62,590	190
Massachusetts	$60,540	250
Kentucky	$59,700	860
Nebraska	$58,560	190
Youngstown-Warren, OH	$58,100	80
California	$57,620	480
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$57,150	300
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	$56,690	330
Oklahoma	$56,030	N/A
Colorado	$55,990	170
Canton-Massillon, OH	$53,680	40
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$53,350	150
Columbus, OH	$53,230	90
New York	$53,140	160
Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area	$53,100	30
Virginia	$53,050	310
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	$52,370	50
Oregon	$52,040	N/A
Lansing-East Lansing, MI	$51,770	100
Wisconsin	$51,760	80
Arkansas	$51,520	180
Michigan	$50,950	780
Kansas	$50,900	130
Wichita, KS	$50,900	90
Ohio	$50,200	680
Cleveland, OH	$50,200	150
Nevada	$49,920	40
Pennsylvania	$49,590	530
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$49,560	130
Pittsburgh, PA	$48,400	70
South Carolina	$48,320	130
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$48,090	150
Missouri	$48,010	100
Akron, OH	$47,680	70
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area	$47,580	80
Illinois	$47,540	320
Erie, PA	$47,370	70
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$46,650	50
Alabama	$46,640	N/A
Indiana	$46,460	280
South Dakota	$45,430	40
Iowa	$45,420	N/A
Greeley, CO	$45,210	N/A
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$44,870	90
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	$44,220	40
Connecticut	$44,000	220

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

The national median annual salary for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is $49,240, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics is Worcester, MA, with a median salary of $86,590.

How much can an experienced Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?

Top-earning Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics (90th percentile) make $69,540 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.