Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary
The median plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary in the United States is $43,960 per year ($21.14/hour). Salaries range from $33,790 at the entry level to $60,370+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 32,410 plating machine 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
$43,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.14
per hour
Employment
32,410
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$33,790
25th percentile
$37,260
Median
$43,960
75th percentile
$49,600
90th percentile
$60,370
Job Growth (2024-2034)
-13.6%
Decline
Annual Openings
2,500
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Training Needed
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$34K$71K■ No data
Top Paying States
Iowa
$71K
+61%
Washington
$58K
+32%
Mississippi
$52K
+18%
Arkansas
$51K
+16%
Oklahoma
$49K
+12%
Oregon
$48K
+9%
Nebraska
$48K
+9%
Colorado
$48K
+9%
Arizona
$47K
+7%
Utah
$47K
+7%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $70,910 | +61.3% |
| Washington | $58,000 | +31.9% |
| Mississippi | $52,090 | +18.5% |
| Arkansas | $51,140 | +16.3% |
| Oklahoma | $49,330 | +12.2% |
| Oregon | $48,050 | +9.3% |
| Nebraska | $48,010 | +9.2% |
| Colorado | $47,930 | +9.0% |
| Arizona | $47,110 | +7.2% |
| Utah | $46,940 | +6.8% |
Showing 1–10 of 40
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Ogden, UT | $70,490 | +60.4% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $65,040 | +48.0% |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $61,880 | +40.8% |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $59,720 | +35.9% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,400 | +32.8% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $56,350 | +28.2% |
| Reading, PA | $55,230 | +25.6% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $53,680 | +22.1% |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $50,870 | +15.7% |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $50,520 | +14.9% |
Showing 1–10 of 104
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 plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earning $43,960/year would need 1356 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1456 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
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View Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary trend (2011–2024) →