Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary by State
Also called: Extruding and Compacting Machine Operators
The national median pay for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders is $45,760 a year. By state, it ranges from $36,180 in Kentucky to $57,990 in Maine.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $34,630
- 25th percentile
- $38,360
- Median
- $45,760
- 75th percentile
- $52,580
- Top 10%
- $63,450
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 58,770 jobs.
Median pay in 45 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $57,990 | +27% | $36,920 | $73,390 | 140 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $53,580 | +17% | $40,020 | $78,670 | 2,450 |
| 3 | Vermont | $52,340 | +14% | $44,400 | $61,810 | 160 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $52,070 | +14% | $40,660 | $64,140 | 560 |
| 5 | South Carolina | $51,620 | +13% | $35,360 | $72,860 | 2,460 |
| 6 | West Virginia | $50,690 | +11% | $36,770 | $57,840 | 180 |
| 7 | Nevada | $50,050 | +9% | $40,490 | $60,190 | Not published |
| 8 | Virginia | $49,390 | +8% | $37,790 | $63,830 | 1,810 |
| 9 | Iowa | $49,340 | +8% | $40,290 | $62,100 | 500 |
| 10 | Colorado | $49,100 | +7% | $33,860 | $73,970 | 280 |
| 11 | Utah | $49,100 | +7% | $33,280 | $61,670 | 250 |
| 12 | Nebraska | $48,760 | +7% | $39,080 | $64,800 | 750 |
| 13 | Oregon | $48,360 | +6% | $39,380 | $64,880 | 370 |
| 14 | Arkansas | $48,320 | +6% | $38,220 | $48,320 | 2,190 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $47,730 | +4% | $40,000 | $59,200 | 410 |
| 16 | Missouri | $47,470 | +4% | $33,280 | $61,810 | 1,040 |
| 17 | Illinois | $47,370 | +4% | $36,290 | $77,050 | 1,690 |
| 18 | California | $47,300 | +3% | $37,260 | $71,130 | 4,210 |
| 19 | Massachusetts | $47,220 | +3% | $40,430 | $56,010 | 950 |
| 20 | New Jersey | $47,080 | +3% | $35,350 | $62,570 | 1,880 |
| 21 | Ohio | $47,070 | +3% | $37,650 | $68,160 | 3,970 |
| 22 | Indiana | $46,790 | +2% | $37,480 | $59,580 | 3,150 |
| 23 | Maryland | $46,640 | +2% | $34,740 | $64,040 | 280 |
| 24 | Mississippi | $46,560 | +2% | $34,440 | $70,690 | 660 |
| 25 | Arizona | $46,440 | +1% | $37,370 | $60,320 | 700 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $46,370 | +1% | $38,520 | $58,480 | 1,730 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $46,220 | +1% | $42,290 | $56,070 | 270 |
| 28 | Connecticut | $46,090 | +1% | $35,490 | $61,770 | 240 |
| 29 | Georgia | $45,670 | 0% | $32,720 | $57,240 | 1,150 |
| 30 | New York | $44,660 | −2% | $33,840 | $70,260 | 3,260 |
| 31 | Washington | $44,510 | −3% | $39,560 | $69,960 | 750 |
| 32 | Kansas | $44,290 | −3% | $34,870 | $51,140 | 600 |
| 33 | Louisiana | $44,200 | −3% | $31,400 | $59,330 | 200 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $43,240 | −6% | $36,090 | $61,460 | 610 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $43,050 | −6% | $26,510 | $66,810 | 3,420 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $42,180 | −8% | $33,150 | $57,640 | 1,310 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $41,970 | −8% | $34,770 | $56,050 | 4,210 |
| 38 | Florida | $39,800 | −13% | $28,530 | $53,250 | 780 |
| 39 | Michigan | $39,790 | −13% | $32,080 | $58,770 | 1,970 |
| 40 | Rhode Island | $39,230 | −14% | $33,780 | $59,340 | 80 |
| 41 | Alabama | $38,650 | −16% | $29,170 | $48,940 | 1,510 |
| 42 | Idaho | $38,580 | −16% | $29,860 | $53,570 | 210 |
| 43 | Texas | $37,710 | −18% | $32,860 | $54,400 | 3,420 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $36,710 | −20% | $30,590 | $41,340 | 80 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $36,180 | −21% | $31,110 | $45,710 | 1,690 |
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.
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary questions
Which state pays extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders the most?
Maine, with a median of $57,990 a year (+27% vs. the national median of $45,760). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders the least?
Kentucky, with a median of $36,180 a year (−21% vs. national).
Where do most extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders work?
California has the most jobs, about 4,210, with a median of $47,300.
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.