Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary
The median drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary in the United States is $49,080 per year ($23.60/hour). Salaries range from $36,300 at the entry level to $68,410+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 4,680 drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to decline 19.6% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$49,080
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.60
per hour
Employment
4,680
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$36,300
25th percentile
$41,710
Median
$49,080
75th percentile
$57,940
90th percentile
$68,410
Job Growth (2024-2034)
-19.6%
Decline
Annual Openings
400
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Training Needed
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$39K$90K■ No data
Top Paying States
Virginia
$90K
+84%
Massachusetts
$78K
+58%
Idaho
$70K
+42%
Florida
$66K
+35%
Michigan
$60K
+23%
New Hampshire
$60K
+22%
Illinois
$57K
+16%
New York
$55K
+13%
Oklahoma
$55K
+13%
Alabama
$53K
+8%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $90,390 | +84.2% |
| Massachusetts | $77,780 | +58.5% |
| Idaho | $69,590 | +41.8% |
| Florida | $66,340 | +35.2% |
| Michigan | $60,410 | +23.1% |
| New Hampshire | $59,800 | +21.8% |
| Illinois | $56,720 | +15.6% |
| New York | $55,310 | +12.7% |
| Oklahoma | $55,230 | +12.5% |
| Alabama | $53,110 | +8.2% |
Showing 1–10 of 31
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $79,120 | +61.2% |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $63,320 | +29.0% |
| Tulsa, OK | $58,210 | +18.6% |
| Peoria, IL | $56,840 | +15.8% |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $52,260 | +6.5% |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $51,740 | +5.4% |
| Cleveland, OH | $51,670 | +5.3% |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $50,920 | +3.7% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $50,810 | +3.5% |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $49,080 | +0.0% |
Showing 1–10 of 22
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earning $49,080/year would need 1214 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1304 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary trend (2011–2024) →