Lathe and Turning Machine Tool 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
$48,620
↑ 34.8% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 34.8% since 2011 ($36,070 → $48,620)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $48,620
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 3.2% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately -8%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $48,620 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $47,110 | +0.2% |
| 2022 | $47,020 | +6.3% |
| 2021 | $44,240 | +6.9% |
| 2020 | $41,380 | +3.2% |
| 2019 | $40,100 | +2.3% |
| 2018 | $39,180 | +1.6% |
| 2017 | $38,580 | +0.3% |
| 2016 | $38,480 | +4.5% |
| 2015 | $36,810 | +1.5% |
| 2014 | $36,260 | +1.5% |
| 2013 | $35,740 | -2.2% |
| 2012 | $36,540 | +1.3% |
| 2011 | $36,070 | — |
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.