Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary Trend (2011–2024)
Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Salary in 2024
$45,590
↑ 53.4% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 53.4% since 2011 ($29,720 → $45,590)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $45,590
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 3.8% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately +4%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $45,590 | +7.5% |
| 2023 | $42,400 | +7.8% |
| 2022 | $39,340 | +4.5% |
| 2021 | $37,630 | +1.8% |
| 2020 | $36,980 | +3.8% |
| 2019 | $35,610 | +3.3% |
| 2018 | $34,460 | +4.2% |
| 2017 | $33,060 | +2.1% |
| 2016 | $32,370 | +3.5% |
| 2015 | $31,280 | +2.0% |
| 2014 | $30,680 | +2.4% |
| 2013 | $29,950 | +0.9% |
| 2012 | $29,690 | -0.1% |
| 2011 | $29,720 | — |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.