Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 51-4031$46,330
US median (annual)
$48,430
US mean (annual)
$35,760
10th percentile
$65,510
90th percentile
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US Salary Overview
The national median wage for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the United States is $46,330 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 171,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Before interviews, many candidates work through interview preparation guides for this kind of role.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,760 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $38,870 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $46,330 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $55,410 | Experienced |
| 90th | $65,510 | Senior / highest decile |
Career Essentials
Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $53,680 | $55,390 | 1,000 |
| Maine | $51,820 | $52,050 | 180 |
| Washington | $51,160 | $55,150 | 2,000 |
| Colorado | $50,790 | $55,080 | 1,000 |
| Minnesota | $49,770 | $50,850 | 6,000 |
| Wisconsin | $49,270 | $50,500 | 8,000 |
| Alaska | $49,010 | $51,270 | 80 |
| Illinois | $48,990 | $51,740 | 8,000 |
| Nebraska | $48,690 | $49,090 | 1,000 |
| Montana | $48,490 | $49,330 | 130 |
| California | $48,450 | $51,620 | 8,000 |
| North Dakota | $48,400 | $51,620 | 230 |
| Missouri | $48,310 | $50,680 | 3,000 |
| Iowa | $48,240 | $47,960 | 2,000 |
| Rhode Island | $48,170 | $50,870 | 470 |
| New Hampshire | $48,110 | $48,150 | 600 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,860 | $49,670 | 9,000 |
| Nevada | $47,690 | $46,710 | 580 |
| Maryland | $47,320 | $47,280 | 270 |
| Virginia | $47,300 | $48,270 | 2,000 |
| Indiana | $46,980 | $49,900 | 10,000 |
| New York | $46,930 | $50,330 | 3,000 |
| Wyoming | $46,890 | $48,060 | 60 |
| Kansas | $46,840 | $48,770 | 2,000 |
| Utah | $46,670 | $48,760 | 1,000 |
| Arizona | $46,610 | $47,680 | 1,000 |
| Connecticut | $46,280 | $48,190 | 2,000 |
| Michigan | $46,120 | $51,880 | 22,000 |
| South Dakota | $46,060 | $47,740 | 490 |
| Kentucky | $45,760 | $48,770 | 7,000 |
| Massachusetts | $45,760 | $49,360 | 3,000 |
| New Jersey | $45,680 | $47,670 | 2,000 |
| Arkansas | $45,580 | $44,480 | 3,000 |
| Ohio | $45,230 | $46,370 | 13,000 |
| Georgia | $45,080 | $47,040 | 5,000 |
| Tennessee | $44,780 | $43,980 | 5,000 |
| South Carolina | $44,420 | $45,540 | 4,000 |
| Alabama | $43,830 | $43,760 | 6,000 |
| Vermont | $43,560 | $46,870 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $43,400 | $45,980 | 4,000 |
| West Virginia | $43,070 | $45,130 | 290 |
| Texas | $42,720 | $43,580 | 13,000 |
| Delaware | $41,640 | $44,700 | 240 |
| Oklahoma | $40,930 | $44,240 | 2,000 |
| Louisiana | $40,870 | $44,990 | 760 |
| Mississippi | $40,650 | $44,140 | 2,000 |
| Idaho | $39,580 | $42,920 | 720 |
| Florida | $39,440 | $41,940 | 3,000 |
| New Mexico | $39,430 | $40,630 | 220 |
| Puerto Rico | $24,090 | $26,770 | 240 |
Salary data is sourced from BLS OES May 2025. Figures represent gross pay before tax. This page is for reference only.
Recommended Gear & Prep
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Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-07-18