Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median $49,030 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do
Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.
- 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
- -17.2% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 600
Employment of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is projected to shrink 17.2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 600 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.
Forging 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$3,704
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,040
- Medicare (1.45%)$711
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$41,576
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,800 | $17.69 | $31,749 |
| 25th percentile | $42,440 | $20.40 | $36,281 |
| Median (50th) | $49,030 | $23.57 | $41,576 |
| 75th percentile | $60,130 | $28.91 | $50,494 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,720 | $33.04 | $57,175 |
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $69,210 | +33.0% | $52,293 | $52,180 – $89,420 | 30 |
| Oklahoma | $61,720 | +10.2% | $49,540 | $45,170 – $62,170 | — |
| Michigan | $61,620 | +20.9% | $49,324 | $41,820 – $69,100 | 620 |
| Nebraska | $60,460 | +3.2% | $48,888 | $59,800 – $64,980 | 200 |
| Wisconsin | $60,310 | +16.5% | $48,766 | $48,460 – $63,360 | 80 |
| California | $59,250 | +2.8% | $47,413 | $43,390 – $81,730 | 750 |
| Colorado | $57,970 | +3.5% | $46,917 | $39,900 – $67,310 | 140 |
| Ohio | $56,870 | +13.3% | $47,093 | $40,800 – $68,730 | 500 |
| New York | $56,350 | +6.0% | $45,011 | $38,620 – $71,320 | 260 |
| Missouri | $55,210 | +15.0% | $44,884 | $35,070 – $66,160 | 60 |
| Virginia | $54,230 | +2.2% | $43,450 | $47,740 – $59,930 | 560 |
| Indiana | $53,550 | +15.3% | $43,657 | $39,330 – $60,910 | 450 |
| Massachusetts | $51,770 | −14.5% | $41,409 | $39,180 – $89,400 | 310 |
| Kansas | $51,120 | +0.4% | $41,202 | $43,590 – $58,810 | 130 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,280 | +1.4% | $41,036 | $42,800 – $71,490 | 550 |
| Maryland | $49,920 | — | $40,283 | $49,920 – $53,750 | 30 |
| Illinois | $49,750 | +4.6% | $39,836 | $40,580 – $61,690 | 230 |
| South Carolina | $49,610 | +2.7% | $40,222 | $46,420 – $63,770 | 80 |
| Arizona | $48,730 | — | $40,325 | $47,510 – $62,350 | 30 |
| Iowa | $47,010 | +3.5% | $38,818 | $45,770 – $58,180 | — |
| Alabama | $46,970 | +0.7% | $37,837 | $36,940 – $78,620 | 70 |
| Georgia | $46,490 | +10.4% | $37,745 | $37,730 – $61,980 | 380 |
| Connecticut | $45,120 | +2.5% | $37,329 | $38,210 – $54,090 | 110 |
| Nevada | $45,040 | −9.8% | $38,370 | $37,980 – $61,240 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $43,810 | +21.7% | $37,381 | $37,140 – $59,200 | 1,140 |
| Florida | $40,480 | +3.2% | $34,706 | $27,040 – $92,490 | 80 |
| Mississippi | $39,550 | +7.1% | $33,108 | $37,490 – $44,500 | 70 |
| Arkansas | $38,120 | −26.0% | $31,535 | $35,060 – $54,800 | 140 |
| Texas | $37,390 | +1.3% | $32,223 | $24,440 – $56,210 | 720 |
| West Virginia | $37,390 | — | $31,211 | $33,320 – $63,200 | — |
| Kentucky | $36,110 | −39.5% | $30,048 | $32,460 – $59,590 | — |
| New Jersey | $35,630 | −44.0% | $30,273 | $34,840 – $72,760 | — |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?
The national median salary for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $49,030 a year ($23.57 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,800 and the top 10% earn over $68,720. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Oregon has the highest median pay at $69,210.
How many forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are there in the U.S.?
About 8,930 people work as forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic nationwide.