Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State
Also called: Forging Machine Operators
The national median pay for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $49,030 a year. By state, it ranges from $35,630 in New Jersey to $69,210 in Oregon.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $36,800
- 25th percentile
- $42,440
- Median
- $49,030
- 75th percentile
- $60,130
- Top 10%
- $68,720
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 8,930 jobs.
Median pay in 32 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $69,210 | +41% | $52,180 | $89,420 | 30 |
| 2 | Oklahoma | $61,720 | +26% | $45,170 | $62,170 | Not published |
| 3 | Michigan | $61,620 | +26% | $41,820 | $69,100 | 620 |
| 4 | Nebraska | $60,460 | +23% | $59,800 | $64,980 | 200 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $60,310 | +23% | $48,460 | $63,360 | 80 |
| 6 | California | $59,250 | +21% | $43,390 | $81,730 | 750 |
| 7 | Colorado | $57,970 | +18% | $39,900 | $67,310 | 140 |
| 8 | Ohio | $56,870 | +16% | $40,800 | $68,730 | 500 |
| 9 | New York | $56,350 | +15% | $38,620 | $71,320 | 260 |
| 10 | Missouri | $55,210 | +13% | $35,070 | $66,160 | 60 |
| 11 | Virginia | $54,230 | +11% | $47,740 | $59,930 | 560 |
| 12 | Indiana | $53,550 | +9% | $39,330 | $60,910 | 450 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $51,770 | +6% | $39,180 | $89,400 | 310 |
| 14 | Kansas | $51,120 | +4% | $43,590 | $58,810 | 130 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $50,280 | +3% | $42,800 | $71,490 | 550 |
| 16 | Maryland | $49,920 | +2% | $49,920 | $53,750 | 30 |
| 17 | Illinois | $49,750 | +1% | $40,580 | $61,690 | 230 |
| 18 | South Carolina | $49,610 | +1% | $46,420 | $63,770 | 80 |
| 19 | Arizona | $48,730 | −1% | $47,510 | $62,350 | 30 |
| 20 | Iowa | $47,010 | −4% | $45,770 | $58,180 | Not published |
| 21 | Alabama | $46,970 | −4% | $36,940 | $78,620 | 70 |
| 22 | Georgia | $46,490 | −5% | $37,730 | $61,980 | 380 |
| 23 | Connecticut | $45,120 | −8% | $38,210 | $54,090 | 110 |
| 24 | Nevada | $45,040 | −8% | $37,980 | $61,240 | 40 |
| 25 | Tennessee | $43,810 | −11% | $37,140 | $59,200 | 1,140 |
| 26 | Florida | $40,480 | −17% | $27,040 | $92,490 | 80 |
| 27 | Mississippi | $39,550 | −19% | $37,490 | $44,500 | 70 |
| 28 | Arkansas | $38,120 | −22% | $35,060 | $54,800 | 140 |
| 29 | Texas | $37,390 | −24% | $24,440 | $56,210 | 720 |
| 30 | West Virginia | $37,390 | −24% | $33,320 | $63,200 | Not published |
| 31 | Kentucky | $36,110 | −26% | $32,460 | $59,590 | Not published |
| 32 | New Jersey | $35,630 | −27% | $34,840 | $72,760 | Not published |
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.
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary questions
Which state pays forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Oregon, with a median of $69,210 a year (+41% vs. the national median of $49,030). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the least?
New Jersey, with a median of $35,630 a year (−27% vs. national).
Where do most forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work?
Tennessee has the most jobs, about 1,140, with a median of $43,810.
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.