Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary
The median lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary in the United States is $50,620 per year ($24.34/hour). Salaries range from $36,670 at the entry level to $69,700+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 16,710 lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to decline 13.6% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$50,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.34
per hour
Employment
16,710
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$36,670
25th percentile
$43,250
Median
$50,620
75th percentile
$60,700
90th percentile
$69,700
Job Growth (2024-2034)
-13.6%
Decline
Annual Openings
1,500
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Training Needed
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$39K$72K■ No data
Top Paying States
Colorado
$72K
+42%
Maine
$65K
+28%
Minnesota
$61K
+21%
Massachusetts
$61K
+20%
California
$60K
+19%
Alabama
$58K
+16%
Nevada
$58K
+15%
Pennsylvania
$57K
+13%
Arizona
$56K
+10%
Illinois
$55K
+9%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $71,670 | +41.6% |
| Maine | $64,800 | +28.0% |
| Minnesota | $61,000 | +20.5% |
| Massachusetts | $60,870 | +20.2% |
| California | $60,180 | +18.9% |
| Alabama | $58,490 | +15.5% |
| Nevada | $58,240 | +15.1% |
| Pennsylvania | $57,020 | +12.6% |
| Arizona | $55,840 | +10.3% |
| Illinois | $54,930 | +8.5% |
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Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $74,420 | +47.0% |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $66,980 | +32.3% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,500 | +31.4% |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $64,950 | +28.3% |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $64,790 | +28.0% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $61,940 | +22.4% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $61,890 | +22.3% |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $61,050 | +20.6% |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $60,190 | +18.9% |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $60,110 | +18.7% |
Showing 1–10 of 61
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 lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earning $50,620/year would need 1178 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1264 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary trend (2011–2024) →