Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median $46,330 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -10.5% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 13,200
Employment of cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is projected to shrink 10.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 13,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,380
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,872
- Medicare (1.45%)$672
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$39,406
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,760 | $17.19 | $30,913 |
| 25th percentile | $38,870 | $18.69 | $33,412 |
| Median (50th) | $46,330 | $22.27 | $39,406 |
| 75th percentile | $55,410 | $26.64 | $46,702 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,510 | $31.50 | $54,817 |
Best cities for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville, KY | $60,230 | $48,584 | $52,200 | 3,100 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $46,300 | $38,891 | $41,408 | 3,220 |
| 3 | Detroit, MI | $50,460 | $40,831 | $40,709 | 11,650 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $50,770 | $40,605 | $39,196 | 6,320 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $48,710 | $39,530 | $37,711 | 4,490 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $46,310 | $37,609 | $37,588 | 2,840 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $43,420 | $37,068 | $37,583 | 3,810 |
| 8 | Dallas, TX | $43,950 | $37,494 | $36,370 | 4,440 |
| 9 | Grand Rapids, MI | $42,050 | $34,431 | $36,036 | 4,270 |
| 10 | Los Angeles, CA | $48,640 | $39,662 | $34,924 | 3,490 |
| 11 | New York, NY | $47,360 | $38,273 | $34,002 | 2,400 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Louisville, KY — $60,230
- Chicago, IL — $50,770
- Detroit, MI — $50,460
- Minneapolis, MN — $48,710
- Los Angeles, CA — $48,640
- New York, NY — $47,360
- Atlanta, GA — $46,310
- Cleveland, OH — $46,300
- Dallas, TX — $43,950
- Houston, TX — $43,420
- Grand Rapids, MI — $42,050
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $53,680 | +3.6% | $41,445 | $44,490 – $66,210 | 1,180 |
| Maine | $51,820 | +3.3% | $41,501 | $38,290 – $64,800 | 180 |
| Washington | $51,160 | +3.2% | $43,287 | $41,440 – $71,550 | 1,750 |
| Colorado | $50,790 | +4.3% | $41,463 | $41,690 – $71,800 | 1,400 |
| Minnesota | $49,770 | −2.3% | $40,309 | $34,670 – $64,700 | 6,130 |
| Wisconsin | $49,270 | +1.1% | $40,382 | $38,290 – $62,580 | 7,960 |
| Alaska | $49,010 | +3.0% | $41,560 | $43,770 – $62,470 | 80 |
| Illinois | $48,990 | +7.2% | $39,263 | $36,960 – $73,270 | 8,060 |
| Nebraska | $48,690 | +2.1% | $39,967 | $36,160 – $60,850 | 1,320 |
| Montana | $48,490 | +0.4% | $39,619 | $37,270 – $59,860 | 130 |
| California | $48,450 | +2.9% | $39,523 | $37,090 – $68,500 | 7,710 |
| North Dakota | $48,400 | +5.1% | $41,069 | $43,680 – $65,980 | 230 |
| Missouri | $48,310 | +2.1% | $39,664 | $36,310 – $69,500 | 3,240 |
| Iowa | $48,240 | +0.8% | $39,760 | $36,550 – $57,490 | 2,030 |
| Rhode Island | $48,170 | +7.6% | $39,695 | $37,850 – $62,280 | 470 |
| New Hampshire | $48,110 | +1.1% | $40,836 | $37,580 – $61,450 | 600 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,860 | +0.7% | $39,166 | $35,380 – $62,590 | 8,890 |
| Nevada | $47,690 | +5.0% | $40,499 | $33,790 – $55,430 | 580 |
| Maryland | $47,320 | −1.8% | $38,318 | $35,470 – $57,360 | 270 |
| Virginia | $47,300 | +3.2% | $38,280 | $36,550 – $60,680 | 1,790 |
| Indiana | $46,980 | +3.5% | $38,572 | $36,960 – $73,840 | 9,680 |
| New York | $46,930 | +4.0% | $37,951 | $36,510 – $71,770 | 3,340 |
| Wyoming | $46,890 | +6.4% | $39,856 | $40,160 – $57,370 | 60 |
| Kansas | $46,840 | +9.7% | $38,002 | $36,360 – $63,150 | 1,900 |
| Utah | $46,670 | +3.8% | $38,545 | $37,420 – $62,430 | 1,050 |
| Arizona | $46,610 | +0.3% | $38,675 | $37,540 – $62,680 | 1,100 |
| Connecticut | $46,280 | −0.9% | $38,208 | $37,110 – $64,770 | 2,030 |
| Michigan | $46,120 | −0.8% | $37,528 | $36,130 – $76,720 | 22,060 |
| South Dakota | $46,060 | +4.6% | $39,189 | $36,840 – $59,950 | 490 |
| Kentucky | $45,760 | −5.0% | $37,464 | $34,920 – $66,280 | 7,290 |
| Massachusetts | $45,760 | −0.0% | $36,880 | $37,460 – $64,160 | 2,590 |
| New Jersey | $45,680 | −3.2% | $37,908 | $36,700 – $60,950 | 1,950 |
| Arkansas | $45,580 | +1.2% | $37,239 | $32,800 – $56,860 | 3,020 |
| Ohio | $45,230 | +3.0% | $38,061 | $35,560 – $60,770 | 13,350 |
| Georgia | $45,080 | +3.3% | $36,685 | $35,400 – $63,740 | 5,260 |
| Tennessee | $44,780 | +1.6% | $38,161 | $35,620 – $53,300 | 5,380 |
| South Carolina | $44,420 | +4.8% | $36,363 | $34,000 – $62,410 | 4,100 |
| Alabama | $43,830 | +11.1% | $35,471 | $34,660 – $54,760 | 6,000 |
| Vermont | $43,560 | −0.2% | $36,155 | $38,110 – $56,160 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $43,400 | +2.5% | $35,829 | $35,180 – $62,120 | 3,940 |
| West Virginia | $43,070 | −19.4% | $35,574 | $30,700 – $57,570 | 290 |
| Texas | $42,720 | +2.6% | $36,506 | $34,340 – $57,370 | 13,290 |
| Delaware | $41,640 | +6.3% | $34,004 | $38,260 – $57,860 | 240 |
| Oklahoma | $40,930 | −7.3% | $33,771 | $31,230 – $64,750 | 2,480 |
| Louisiana | $40,870 | −6.2% | $34,179 | $35,730 – $60,960 | 760 |
| Mississippi | $40,650 | +2.7% | $33,948 | $32,000 – $63,180 | 1,700 |
| Idaho | $39,580 | +1.9% | $32,993 | $36,240 – $50,540 | 720 |
| Florida | $39,440 | +4.7% | $33,870 | $33,180 – $50,630 | 2,740 |
| New Mexico | $39,430 | −0.5% | $33,134 | $33,430 – $46,720 | 220 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?
The national median salary for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $46,330 a year ($22.27 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,760 and the top 10% earn over $65,510. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Oregon has the highest median pay at $53,680. After taxes and local prices, Louisville, KY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are there in the U.S.?
About 171,200 people work as cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic nationwide.