Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State
Also called: Plating Machine Operators
The national median pay for plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $43,960 a year. By state, it ranges from $33,730 in Alabama to $70,910 in Iowa.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $33,790
- 25th percentile
- $37,260
- Median
- $43,960
- 75th percentile
- $49,600
- Top 10%
- $60,370
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 32,410 jobs.
Median pay in 40 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | $70,910 | +61% | $37,690 | $70,910 | 440 |
| 2 | Washington | $58,000 | +32% | $46,480 | $79,260 | 410 |
| 3 | Mississippi | $52,090 | +18% | $43,670 | $57,200 | 60 |
| 4 | Arkansas | $51,140 | +16% | $29,640 | $73,190 | 230 |
| 5 | Oklahoma | $49,330 | +12% | $35,580 | $71,120 | 180 |
| 6 | Oregon | $48,050 | +9% | $39,850 | $61,000 | 310 |
| 7 | Nebraska | $48,010 | +9% | $37,000 | $63,950 | 400 |
| 8 | Colorado | $47,930 | +9% | $37,710 | $61,620 | 190 |
| 9 | Arizona | $47,110 | +7% | $36,830 | $51,060 | 640 |
| 10 | Utah | $46,940 | +7% | $35,200 | $73,090 | 180 |
| 11 | Ohio | $46,790 | +6% | $38,240 | $62,090 | 1,810 |
| 12 | California | $46,760 | +6% | $36,730 | $59,610 | 5,600 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $46,730 | +6% | $36,400 | $61,410 | 560 |
| 14 | Florida | $46,460 | +6% | $30,570 | $59,270 | 530 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $46,300 | +5% | $43,170 | $58,640 | 60 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $46,150 | +5% | $35,440 | $57,250 | 860 |
| 17 | Maine | $45,720 | +4% | $39,550 | $55,550 | 170 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $45,590 | +4% | $36,150 | $60,490 | 1,740 |
| 19 | New York | $45,510 | +4% | $35,180 | $65,220 | 830 |
| 20 | South Carolina | $44,560 | +1% | $37,960 | $58,380 | 470 |
| 21 | Idaho | $44,470 | +1% | $36,540 | $51,740 | 60 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $44,350 | +1% | $29,430 | $63,220 | 940 |
| 23 | Missouri | $44,080 | 0% | $31,100 | $53,910 | 150 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $43,540 | −1% | $30,260 | $57,770 | 710 |
| 25 | Virginia | $43,380 | −1% | $33,230 | $56,780 | 270 |
| 26 | Maryland | $42,030 | −4% | $34,790 | $63,440 | 60 |
| 27 | New Jersey | $40,800 | −7% | $32,220 | $51,490 | 380 |
| 28 | Tennessee | $39,510 | −10% | $29,700 | $51,840 | 1,660 |
| 29 | Georgia | $39,160 | −11% | $33,670 | $106,010 | 660 |
| 30 | Texas | $39,060 | −11% | $26,750 | $55,390 | 2,090 |
| 31 | Kansas | $38,770 | −12% | $33,330 | $57,980 | 360 |
| 32 | Indiana | $38,680 | −12% | $35,420 | $58,350 | 1,250 |
| 33 | Illinois | $38,620 | −12% | $34,540 | $51,260 | 2,380 |
| 34 | Rhode Island | $38,580 | −12% | $37,770 | $61,370 | 450 |
| 35 | Michigan | $37,600 | −14% | $32,400 | $51,850 | 3,330 |
| 36 | Nevada | $37,460 | −15% | $36,470 | $45,690 | 60 |
| 37 | Connecticut | $37,220 | −15% | $34,850 | $58,590 | 620 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $34,680 | −21% | $26,110 | $68,300 | 630 |
| 39 | Louisiana | $34,040 | −23% | $28,410 | $52,500 | 100 |
| 40 | Alabama | $33,730 | −23% | $26,550 | $44,020 | 400 |
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.
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary questions
Which state pays plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Iowa, with a median of $70,910 a year (+61% vs. the national median of $43,960). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the least?
Alabama, with a median of $33,730 a year (−23% vs. national).
Where do most plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work?
California has the most jobs, about 5,600, with a median of $46,760.
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.