Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State
Also called: Cutting and Press Machine Operators
The national median pay for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $46,330 a year. By state, it ranges from $39,430 in New Mexico to $53,680 in Oregon.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $35,760
- 25th percentile
- $38,870
- Median
- $46,330
- 75th percentile
- $55,410
- Top 10%
- $65,510
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 171,200 jobs.
Median pay in 49 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $53,680 | +16% | $44,490 | $66,210 | 1,180 |
| 2 | Maine | $51,820 | +12% | $38,290 | $64,800 | 180 |
| 3 | Washington | $51,160 | +10% | $41,440 | $71,550 | 1,750 |
| 4 | Colorado | $50,790 | +10% | $41,690 | $71,800 | 1,400 |
| 5 | Minnesota | $49,770 | +7% | $34,670 | $64,700 | 6,130 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | $49,270 | +6% | $38,290 | $62,580 | 7,960 |
| 7 | Alaska | $49,010 | +6% | $43,770 | $62,470 | 80 |
| 8 | Illinois | $48,990 | +6% | $36,960 | $73,270 | 8,060 |
| 9 | Nebraska | $48,690 | +5% | $36,160 | $60,850 | 1,320 |
| 10 | Montana | $48,490 | +5% | $37,270 | $59,860 | 130 |
| 11 | California | $48,450 | +5% | $37,090 | $68,500 | 7,710 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $48,400 | +4% | $43,680 | $65,980 | 230 |
| 13 | Missouri | $48,310 | +4% | $36,310 | $69,500 | 3,240 |
| 14 | Iowa | $48,240 | +4% | $36,550 | $57,490 | 2,030 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $48,170 | +4% | $37,850 | $62,280 | 470 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $48,110 | +4% | $37,580 | $61,450 | 600 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $47,860 | +3% | $35,380 | $62,590 | 8,890 |
| 18 | Nevada | $47,690 | +3% | $33,790 | $55,430 | 580 |
| 19 | Maryland | $47,320 | +2% | $35,470 | $57,360 | 270 |
| 20 | Virginia | $47,300 | +2% | $36,550 | $60,680 | 1,790 |
| 21 | Indiana | $46,980 | +1% | $36,960 | $73,840 | 9,680 |
| 22 | New York | $46,930 | +1% | $36,510 | $71,770 | 3,340 |
| 23 | Wyoming | $46,890 | +1% | $40,160 | $57,370 | 60 |
| 24 | Kansas | $46,840 | +1% | $36,360 | $63,150 | 1,900 |
| 25 | Utah | $46,670 | +1% | $37,420 | $62,430 | 1,050 |
| 26 | Arizona | $46,610 | +1% | $37,540 | $62,680 | 1,100 |
| 27 | Connecticut | $46,280 | 0% | $37,110 | $64,770 | 2,030 |
| 28 | Michigan | $46,120 | 0% | $36,130 | $76,720 | 22,060 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $46,060 | −1% | $36,840 | $59,950 | 490 |
| 30 | Kentucky | $45,760 | −1% | $34,920 | $66,280 | 7,290 |
| 31 | Massachusetts | $45,760 | −1% | $37,460 | $64,160 | 2,590 |
| 32 | New Jersey | $45,680 | −1% | $36,700 | $60,950 | 1,950 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $45,580 | −2% | $32,800 | $56,860 | 3,020 |
| 34 | Ohio | $45,230 | −2% | $35,560 | $60,770 | 13,350 |
| 35 | Georgia | $45,080 | −3% | $35,400 | $63,740 | 5,260 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $44,780 | −3% | $35,620 | $53,300 | 5,380 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $44,420 | −4% | $34,000 | $62,410 | 4,100 |
| 38 | Alabama | $43,830 | −5% | $34,660 | $54,760 | 6,000 |
| 39 | Vermont | $43,560 | −6% | $38,110 | $56,160 | 70 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $43,400 | −6% | $35,180 | $62,120 | 3,940 |
| 41 | West Virginia | $43,070 | −7% | $30,700 | $57,570 | 290 |
| 42 | Texas | $42,720 | −8% | $34,340 | $57,370 | 13,290 |
| 43 | Delaware | $41,640 | −10% | $38,260 | $57,860 | 240 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $40,930 | −12% | $31,230 | $64,750 | 2,480 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $40,870 | −12% | $35,730 | $60,960 | 760 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $40,650 | −12% | $32,000 | $63,180 | 1,700 |
| 47 | Idaho | $39,580 | −15% | $36,240 | $50,540 | 720 |
| 48 | Florida | $39,440 | −15% | $33,180 | $50,630 | 2,740 |
| 49 | New Mexico | $39,430 | −15% | $33,430 | $46,720 | 220 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary questions
Which state pays cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Oregon, with a median of $53,680 a year (+16% vs. the national median of $46,330). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the least?
New Mexico, with a median of $39,430 a year (−15% vs. national).
Where do most cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work?
Michigan has the most jobs, about 22,060, with a median of $46,120.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.