Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median $50,140 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do
Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of 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
- -8.3% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 1,900
Employment of rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is projected to shrink 8.3% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,900 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.
Rolling 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$3,837
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,109
- Medicare (1.45%)$727
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$42,467
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,690 | $18.12 | $32,464 |
| 25th percentile | $44,020 | $21.16 | $37,550 |
| Median (50th) | $50,140 | $24.11 | $42,467 |
| 75th percentile | $61,880 | $29.75 | $51,901 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,310 | $33.80 | $58,293 |
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $72,670 | +28.9% | $57,844 | $48,580 – $72,670 | 660 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,970 | +36.1% | $53,887 | $48,240 – $70,310 | 3,070 |
| Vermont | $66,240 | +32.9% | $53,492 | $44,130 – $78,810 | 40 |
| Washington | $63,560 | +3.3% | $53,250 | $38,630 – $105,440 | 350 |
| Maryland | $61,470 | +20.5% | $49,015 | $48,420 – $64,410 | 310 |
| New York | $60,890 | +10.7% | $48,414 | $47,110 – $99,810 | 420 |
| Minnesota | $60,620 | +14.4% | $48,289 | $36,030 – $65,310 | 50 |
| Connecticut | $60,610 | +1.9% | $49,078 | $40,130 – $73,820 | 150 |
| New Hampshire | $60,570 | +9.2% | $50,848 | $46,890 – $74,440 | 40 |
| Colorado | $57,500 | +14.3% | $46,560 | $38,760 – $65,420 | 110 |
| Illinois | $54,180 | +9.5% | $43,177 | $37,360 – $62,980 | 550 |
| Alabama | $53,380 | +4.8% | $42,667 | $39,170 – $78,370 | 1,710 |
| Wisconsin | $51,370 | +2.6% | $41,977 | $39,810 – $71,820 | 290 |
| Kentucky | $50,400 | +3.7% | $41,030 | $38,530 – $60,560 | 1,120 |
| Oregon | $50,400 | +3.2% | $39,096 | $40,150 – $85,510 | 140 |
| Ohio | $50,030 | +1.6% | $41,786 | $39,220 – $67,640 | 1,310 |
| Louisiana | $49,920 | −22.0% | $41,179 | $37,980 – $80,520 | 110 |
| Texas | $49,660 | +6.7% | $42,082 | $35,600 – $75,730 | 1,680 |
| Tennessee | $48,540 | +2.5% | $41,182 | $31,690 – $71,860 | 1,290 |
| North Carolina | $48,450 | +5.8% | $39,685 | $36,260 – $65,730 | 510 |
| Oklahoma | $48,330 | +2.0% | $39,384 | $34,670 – $57,420 | 290 |
| South Carolina | $48,210 | +5.4% | $39,181 | $38,840 – $64,000 | 820 |
| California | $48,040 | −1.5% | $39,224 | $37,690 – $75,570 | 1,150 |
| Massachusetts | $47,830 | −2.4% | $38,440 | $39,260 – $61,690 | 480 |
| Arizona | $47,820 | +1.4% | $39,617 | $38,850 – $65,860 | 110 |
| Utah | $47,540 | +3.2% | $39,205 | $40,980 – $85,740 | 60 |
| Missouri | $47,390 | −1.3% | $38,968 | $31,400 – $56,970 | 180 |
| New Jersey | $46,980 | −0.9% | $38,881 | $38,500 – $76,740 | 250 |
| Florida | $46,810 | +20.9% | $39,792 | $35,690 – $78,580 | 310 |
| Virginia | $46,450 | +0.3% | $37,646 | $37,800 – $64,180 | 450 |
| South Dakota | $46,040 | −5.4% | $39,173 | $38,400 – $52,900 | 70 |
| Arkansas | $45,890 | +3.3% | $37,476 | $39,560 – $69,460 | 420 |
| Nebraska | $45,800 | −1.8% | $37,776 | $33,790 – $57,130 | 230 |
| Indiana | $45,430 | −10.9% | $37,372 | $36,860 – $64,240 | 2,750 |
| Georgia | $45,050 | +2.8% | $36,662 | $27,130 – $60,430 | 1,070 |
| Michigan | $44,090 | +0.5% | $35,983 | $37,570 – $63,020 | 1,480 |
| North Dakota | $43,480 | — | $37,116 | $43,370 – $49,510 | 150 |
| Kansas | $40,260 | +3.2% | $33,082 | $33,650 – $56,080 | 170 |
| Mississippi | $39,320 | −5.4% | $32,933 | $31,670 – $55,080 | 230 |
Related jobs
Frequently asked questions
How much does a rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?
The national median salary for rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $50,140 a year ($24.11 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,690 and the top 10% earn over $70,310. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Iowa has the highest median pay at $72,670.
How many rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are there in the U.S.?
About 25,250 people work as rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic nationwide.