Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State
Also called: Lathe and Turning Machine Operators
The national median pay for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $50,620 a year. By state, it ranges from $39,060 in Arkansas to $71,670 in Colorado.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $36,670
- 25th percentile
- $43,250
- Median
- $50,620
- 75th percentile
- $60,700
- Top 10%
- $69,700
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 16,710 jobs.
Median pay in 36 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | $71,670 | +42% | $56,230 | $91,160 | 150 |
| 2 | Maine | $64,800 | +28% | $44,380 | $66,510 | 80 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $61,000 | +21% | $46,290 | $74,440 | 150 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $60,870 | +20% | $43,260 | $80,440 | 690 |
| 5 | California | $60,180 | +19% | $43,480 | $79,690 | 2,600 |
| 6 | Alabama | $58,490 | +16% | $41,560 | $74,970 | 100 |
| 7 | Nevada | $58,240 | +15% | $38,180 | $71,810 | 60 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $57,020 | +13% | $43,570 | $66,500 | 580 |
| 9 | Arizona | $55,840 | +10% | $50,470 | $80,300 | 110 |
| 10 | Illinois | $54,930 | +9% | $35,990 | $62,830 | 1,260 |
| 11 | Maryland | $54,860 | +8% | $40,000 | $79,410 | 60 |
| 12 | North Carolina | $53,840 | +6% | $39,190 | $63,100 | 310 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $53,660 | +6% | $39,420 | $63,120 | 50 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | $51,020 | +1% | $37,780 | $69,100 | 340 |
| 15 | New York | $50,760 | 0% | $41,110 | $69,630 | 530 |
| 16 | Louisiana | $50,560 | 0% | $37,340 | $66,090 | 90 |
| 17 | Iowa | $50,370 | 0% | $47,070 | $67,990 | 180 |
| 18 | Georgia | $50,180 | −1% | $39,720 | $62,300 | 100 |
| 19 | Ohio | $49,880 | −1% | $39,190 | $67,580 | 1,180 |
| 20 | South Carolina | $49,490 | −2% | $39,090 | $68,260 | 370 |
| 21 | Indiana | $49,420 | −2% | $40,300 | $62,870 | 710 |
| 22 | Connecticut | $49,380 | −2% | $36,770 | $77,440 | 690 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $48,980 | −3% | $43,080 | $62,170 | 150 |
| 24 | Missouri | $48,950 | −3% | $33,410 | $63,350 | 160 |
| 25 | Virginia | $48,920 | −3% | $38,190 | $61,790 | 210 |
| 26 | New Jersey | $48,180 | −5% | $36,120 | $75,110 | 190 |
| 27 | Texas | $48,020 | −5% | $26,610 | $56,930 | 2,150 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $47,350 | −6% | $42,470 | $63,000 | 120 |
| 29 | Kansas | $47,310 | −7% | $38,770 | $75,120 | 90 |
| 30 | Kentucky | $47,060 | −7% | $35,720 | $62,530 | 250 |
| 31 | Michigan | $46,680 | −8% | $36,630 | $62,430 | 1,540 |
| 32 | Florida | $44,710 | −12% | $38,940 | $54,500 | 140 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $43,680 | −14% | $33,280 | $56,610 | 240 |
| 34 | Oregon | $41,640 | −18% | $38,020 | $66,870 | 40 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $40,730 | −20% | $35,080 | $59,910 | 700 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $39,060 | −23% | $31,860 | $51,410 | 190 |
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.
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary questions
Which state pays lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Colorado, with a median of $71,670 a year (+42% vs. the national median of $50,620). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $39,060 a year (−23% vs. national).
Where do most lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work?
California has the most jobs, about 2,600, with a median of $60,180.
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.