Updated November 7, 2026 · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn a median $45,760 a year nationally. Production Occupations

U.S. median

$45,760

$22.00 per hour

Range

$34,630 – $63,450

10th to 90th percentile

Employed

58,770

across the U.S.

▲1.4%

Pay trend: The median for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders in the U.S. rose from $45,130 (May 2024) to $45,760 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 1.0%.

What extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders do

Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.

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: +1.5% (slower than average)
Openings per year: 5,200

Employment of extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders is projected to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 5,200 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.

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders take-home pay calculator

Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Pay

Per

State

Filing status

City income tax

Deductions, kids & local tax

401(k) % of pay

Health/HSA $ per year

Children under 17

Other local tax %

2026 tax year. Federal brackets from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

Your take-home pay

$38,948

per year · effective tax rate 14.9%

$3,246Monthly

$1,623Twice a month

$1,498Every 2 weeks

$18.73Hourly

Federal income tax$3,311
Social Security (6.2%)$2,837
Medicare (1.45%)$664
Texas income tax$0
Take-home pay$38,948

Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state

Pay by experience

Percentile	Salary	Hourly	Take-home (no state tax)
10th percentile (entry level)	$34,630	$16.65	$30,005
25th percentile	$38,360	$18.44	$33,002
Median (50th)	$45,760	$22.00	$38,948
75th percentile	$52,580	$25.28	$44,428
90th percentile (top earners)	$63,450	$30.50	$53,162

Best cities for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders (after tax & cost of living)

#	Metro area	Median	Take-home	Real value*	Jobs
1	New York, NY	$39,680	$32,517	$28,888	2,420

*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).

Highest-paying cities

New York, NY — $39,680

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary by state

State	Median	1-yr change	Take-home	Range	Jobs
Maine	$57,990	+9.5%	$46,042	$36,920 – $73,390	140
Pennsylvania	$53,580	+5.5%	$43,587	$40,020 – $78,670	2,450
Vermont	$52,340	+3.2%	$42,916	$44,400 – $61,810	160
Minnesota	$52,070	+3.1%	$42,001	$40,660 – $64,140	560
South Carolina	$51,620	+3.8%	$41,717	$35,360 – $72,860	2,460
West Virginia	$50,690	+3.3%	$41,358	$36,770 – $57,840	180
Nevada	$50,050	+4.7%	$42,395	$40,490 – $60,190	—
Virginia	$49,390	+0.8%	$39,839	$37,790 – $63,830	1,810
Iowa	$49,340	+4.0%	$40,602	$40,290 – $62,100	500
Colorado	$49,100	−3.5%	$40,180	$33,860 – $73,970	280
Utah	$49,100	+26.1%	$40,388	$33,280 – $61,670	250
Nebraska	$48,760	+4.3%	$40,020	$39,080 – $64,800	750
Oregon	$48,360	+1.0%	$37,635	$39,380 – $64,880	370
Arkansas	$48,320	+7.9%	$39,333	$38,220 – $48,320	2,190
New Hampshire	$47,730	+2.6%	$40,531	$40,000 – $59,200	410
Missouri	$47,470	−0.6%	$39,028	$33,280 – $61,810	1,040
Illinois	$47,370	−0.7%	$38,042	$36,290 – $77,050	1,690
California	$47,300	+1.5%	$38,683	$37,260 – $71,130	4,210
Massachusetts	$47,220	+3.6%	$37,980	$40,430 – $56,010	950
New Jersey	$47,080	−1.3%	$38,955	$35,350 – $62,570	1,880
Ohio	$47,070	+5.1%	$39,489	$37,650 – $68,160	3,970
Indiana	$46,790	+1.2%	$38,425	$37,480 – $59,580	3,150
Maryland	$46,640	+2.3%	$37,803	$34,740 – $64,040	280
Mississippi	$46,560	+15.8%	$38,461	$34,440 – $70,690	660
Arizona	$46,440	+3.2%	$38,542	$37,370 – $60,320	700
Wisconsin	$46,370	+13.0%	$38,179	$38,520 – $58,480	1,730
North Dakota	$46,220	+5.0%	$39,318	$42,290 – $56,070	270
Connecticut	$46,090	−4.0%	$38,064	$35,490 – $61,770	240
Georgia	$45,670	−0.4%	$37,128	$32,720 – $57,240	1,150
New York	$44,660	−4.8%	$36,250	$33,840 – $70,260	3,260
Washington	$44,510	−6.4%	$37,944	$39,560 – $69,960	750
Kansas	$44,290	−2.4%	$36,095	$34,870 – $51,140	600
Louisiana	$44,200	−9.7%	$36,755	$31,400 – $59,330	200
South Dakota	$43,240	+1.4%	$36,923	$36,090 – $61,460	610
North Carolina	$43,050	−6.8%	$35,562	$26,510 – $66,810	3,420
Oklahoma	$42,180	−2.5%	$34,719	$33,150 – $57,640	1,310
Tennessee	$41,970	−1.6%	$35,903	$34,770 – $56,050	4,210
Florida	$39,800	−2.6%	$34,159	$28,530 – $53,250	780
Michigan	$39,790	−8.7%	$32,711	$32,080 – $58,770	1,970
Rhode Island	$39,230	+11.5%	$32,847	$33,780 – $59,340	80
Alabama	$38,650	−3.0%	$31,568	$29,170 – $48,940	1,510
Idaho	$38,580	−21.5%	$32,243	$29,860 – $53,570	210
Texas	$37,710	+1.6%	$32,480	$32,860 – $54,400	3,420
New Mexico	$36,710	+3.4%	$31,065	$30,590 – $41,340	80
Kentucky	$36,180	−11.1%	$30,102	$31,110 – $45,710	1,690

Related jobs

Job	Median salary	Education	Growth 2025–35
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic	$46,170	High school diploma or equivalent	+5.8%
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operator and Tender	$46,460	High school diploma or equivalent	+1.3%
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$46,570	High school diploma or equivalent	-0.9%
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders	$43,530	High school diploma or equivalent	+3.4%
Medical Appliance Technician	$48,030	High school diploma or equivalent	+3.5%
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders	$48,040	High school diploma or equivalent	+2.6%
Etcher and Engraver	$43,310	High school diploma or equivalent	-0.7%
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$48,250	High school diploma or equivalent	+2.5%
Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender	$43,220	High school diploma or equivalent	+4.1%
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$48,540	High school diploma or equivalent	-1.7%

Frequently asked questions

How much does a extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders make?

The national median salary for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders is $45,760 a year ($22.00 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,630 and the top 10% earn over $63,450. Source: BLS, May 2025.

Which state pays extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders the most?

Maine has the highest median pay at $57,990. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.

How many extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders are there in the U.S.?

About 58,770 people work as extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders nationwide.