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

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median $52,800 a year nationally. Production Occupations

U.S. median
$52,800
$25.38 per hour
Range
$37,840 – $81,030
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
12,460
across the U.S.
▲9.3%
Pay trend: The median for milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the U.S. rose from $48,310 (May 2024) to $52,800 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 6.9%.

What milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do

Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

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
-13.2% (declining)
Openings per year
1,000

Employment of milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is projected to shrink 13.2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,000 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.

Milling and Planing 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.

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Deductions, kids & local tax

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

Your take-home pay
$44,605
per year · effective tax rate 15.5%
$3,717Monthly
$1,859Twice a month
$1,716Every 2 weeks
$21.44Hourly
  • Federal income tax$4,156
  • Social Security (6.2%)$3,274
  • Medicare (1.45%)$766
  • Texas income tax$0
  • Take-home pay$44,605

Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state

Pay by experience

PercentileSalaryHourlyTake-home (no state tax)
10th percentile (entry level)$37,840$18.19$32,584
25th percentile$45,210$21.74$38,506
Median (50th)$52,800$25.38$44,605
75th percentile$64,900$31.20$54,327
90th percentile (top earners)$81,030$38.96$65,835

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by state

StateMedian1-yr changeTake-homeRangeJobs
Washington $86,460+3.9%$69,655 $51,050 – $110,800240
Connecticut $79,300+29.7%$61,831 $40,040 – $95,680150
Kentucky $66,440+10.2%$53,357 $39,190 – $68,720540
Illinois $63,360−1.1%$50,098 $43,680 – $66,950570
Massachusetts $62,380+7.8%$49,403 $45,900 – $81,490—
Nebraska $59,630+2.8%$48,259 $40,360 – $64,68070
California $59,050+7.4%$47,267 $45,420 – $84,3401,960
Wisconsin $58,770+9.8%$47,597 $43,950 – $73,520280
Indiana $57,720+6.8%$46,885 $46,920 – $62,720590
New York $56,560+2.4%$45,169 $40,420 – $81,030550
Virginia $56,410+21.6%$45,076 $40,030 – $82,46090
Maryland $56,080−4.2%$44,940 $37,440 – $80,98050
Minnesota $55,210+13.2%$44,310 $39,850 – $78,780220
Texas $53,840+30.9%$45,440 $37,110 – $106,740510
Colorado $53,780+1.4%$43,734 $46,210 – $62,140—
Nevada $52,800−3.4%$44,605 $40,840 – $64,060120
Iowa $51,600−9.9%$42,332 $42,490 – $62,770140
Ohio $51,310+7.4%$42,779 $45,020 – $71,650610
New Jersey $50,530+7.1%$41,537 $39,020 – $60,810190
New Hampshire $49,230+0.1%$41,736 $47,400 – $59,11050
North Carolina $49,210−3.8%$40,265 $31,220 – $77,430280
Arizona $48,760−19.0%$40,348 $45,860 – $62,220100
Michigan $48,400+4.6%$39,263 $39,170 – $70,310670
South Carolina $48,340+21.8%$39,278 $38,890 – $69,340120
Pennsylvania $47,690−2.7%$39,035 $40,220 – $64,950410
Missouri $47,680+24.4%$39,187 $35,630 – $63,590350
Florida $47,220+4.0%$40,121 $36,450 – $56,160140
Utah $46,580+3.5%$38,477 $31,870 – $82,220100
West Virginia $45,440−1.0%$37,373 $39,740 – $61,340120
Maine $45,210−27.4%$36,636 $45,210 – $74,630120
Arkansas $44,440+18.2%$36,367 $35,600 – $74,330160
Tennessee $43,710−0.5%$37,301 $29,570 – $60,7901,170
Oklahoma $40,250−3.2%$33,255 $33,270 – $55,820160
Mississippi $39,100+3.2%$32,765 $36,000 – $53,890100
Georgia $38,340+3.2%$31,619 $32,760 – $57,520120
Alabama $35,760−29.4%$29,390 $31,590 – $49,290210

Related jobs

JobMedian salaryEducationGrowth 2025–35
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,620High school diploma or equivalent-11.3%
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,080High school diploma or equivalent-9.5%
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,550High school diploma or equivalent-10.8%
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,330High school diploma or equivalent-10.5%
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$53,750High school diploma or equivalent+2.4%
Pourers and Casters, Metal$51,810High school diploma or equivalent-5.0%
Metal-Refining Furnace Operator and Tender$54,430High school diploma or equivalent-2.9%
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,140High school diploma or equivalent-8.3%
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners$50,060High school diploma or equivalent-6.8%
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,030High school diploma or equivalent-17.2%

Frequently asked questions

How much does a milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?

The national median salary for milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $52,800 a year ($25.38 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,840 and the top 10% earn over $81,030. Source: BLS, May 2025.

Which state pays milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?

Washington has the highest median pay at $86,460.

How many milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are there in the U.S.?

About 12,460 people work as milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic nationwide.