Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median $50,620 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do
Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
- 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
- -11.3% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 1,400
Employment of lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is projected to shrink 11.3% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,400 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.
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool 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$3,894
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,138
- Medicare (1.45%)$734
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$42,853
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,670 | $17.63 | $31,644 |
| 25th percentile | $43,250 | $20.79 | $36,931 |
| Median (50th) | $50,620 | $24.34 | $42,853 |
| 75th percentile | $60,700 | $29.18 | $50,952 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,700 | $33.51 | $57,864 |
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $71,670 | +19.7% | $56,805 | $56,230 – $91,160 | 150 |
| Maine | $64,800 | +4.3% | $51,054 | $44,380 – $66,510 | 80 |
| Minnesota | $61,000 | +5.5% | $48,569 | $46,290 – $74,440 | 150 |
| Massachusetts | $60,870 | +2.4% | $48,266 | $43,260 – $80,440 | 690 |
| California | $60,180 | +26.3% | $48,092 | $43,480 – $79,690 | 2,600 |
| Alabama | $58,490 | +24.3% | $46,517 | $41,560 – $74,970 | 100 |
| Nevada | $58,240 | +34.6% | $48,976 | $38,180 – $71,810 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,020 | −3.2% | $46,245 | $43,570 – $66,500 | 580 |
| Arizona | $55,840 | +6.1% | $45,860 | $50,470 – $80,300 | 110 |
| Illinois | $54,930 | −1.2% | $43,742 | $35,990 – $62,830 | 1,260 |
| Maryland | $54,860 | −1.5% | $44,018 | $40,000 – $79,410 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $53,840 | +6.4% | $43,801 | $39,190 – $63,100 | 310 |
| West Virginia | $53,660 | +3.2% | $43,613 | $39,420 – $63,120 | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $51,020 | −1.0% | $41,711 | $37,780 – $69,100 | 340 |
| New York | $50,760 | +2.2% | $40,822 | $41,110 – $69,630 | 530 |
| Louisiana | $50,560 | +3.4% | $41,674 | $37,340 – $66,090 | 90 |
| Iowa | $50,370 | +3.3% | $41,390 | $47,070 – $67,990 | 180 |
| Georgia | $50,180 | +10.3% | $40,518 | $39,720 – $62,300 | 100 |
| Ohio | $49,880 | +4.2% | $41,669 | $39,190 – $67,580 | 1,180 |
| South Carolina | $49,490 | +10.0% | $40,133 | $39,090 – $68,260 | 370 |
| Indiana | $49,420 | −5.3% | $40,461 | $40,300 – $62,870 | 710 |
| Connecticut | $49,380 | +3.2% | $40,560 | $36,770 – $77,440 | 690 |
| New Hampshire | $48,980 | −2.1% | $41,535 | $43,080 – $62,170 | 150 |
| Missouri | $48,950 | +2.9% | $40,148 | $33,410 – $63,350 | 160 |
| Virginia | $48,920 | +28.9% | $39,488 | $38,190 – $61,790 | 210 |
| New Jersey | $48,180 | −13.7% | $39,778 | $36,120 – $75,110 | 190 |
| Texas | $48,020 | +1.2% | $40,764 | $26,610 – $56,930 | 2,150 |
| Nebraska | $47,350 | −17.9% | $38,951 | $42,470 – $63,000 | 120 |
| Kansas | $47,310 | +6.8% | $38,353 | $38,770 – $75,120 | 90 |
| Kentucky | $47,060 | +9.2% | $38,463 | $35,720 – $62,530 | 250 |
| Michigan | $46,680 | +0.5% | $37,954 | $36,630 – $62,430 | 1,540 |
| Florida | $44,710 | −3.8% | $38,104 | $38,940 – $54,500 | 140 |
| Oklahoma | $43,680 | +11.7% | $35,857 | $33,280 – $56,610 | 240 |
| Oregon | $41,640 | — | $32,824 | $38,020 – $66,870 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $40,730 | −12.2% | $34,907 | $35,080 – $59,910 | 700 |
| Arkansas | $39,060 | +2.4% | $32,254 | $31,860 – $51,410 | 190 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?
The national median salary for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $50,620 a year ($24.34 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,670 and the top 10% earn over $69,700. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Colorado has the highest median pay at $71,670.
How many lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are there in the U.S.?
About 16,710 people work as lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic nationwide.