Forging 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
$49,240
↑ 43.1% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 43.1% since 2011 ($34,410 → $49,240)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $49,240
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 4.4% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately -3%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $49,240 | +4.8% |
| 2023 | $46,990 | +1.0% |
| 2022 | $46,540 | +4.5% |
| 2021 | $44,520 | +7.5% |
| 2020 | $41,430 | +4.4% |
| 2019 | $39,670 | +2.0% |
| 2018 | $38,900 | +0.6% |
| 2017 | $38,650 | +4.7% |
| 2016 | $36,930 | +5.3% |
| 2015 | $35,070 | +4.0% |
| 2014 | $33,710 | +0.4% |
| 2013 | $33,570 | -1.4% |
| 2012 | $34,060 | -1.0% |
| 2011 | $34,410 | — |
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.