Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Alabama (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Alabama, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Alabama Median
$43,830
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.07
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $46,330
State Rank
#38 of 49
6,000 employed here

How much do Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Alabama?

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Alabama take home a median of $43,830 annually — roughly $21.07 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $46,330.

Within Alabama, entry-level pay starts around $34,660 while the top 10% make $54,760 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,850 and $48,000 a year.

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in Alabama

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,660$16.66
25th percentile (early career)$37,850$18.20
50th percentile (median)$43,830$21.07
75th percentile (experienced)$48,000$23.08
90th percentile (top earners)$54,760$26.33

How Alabama compares

Alabama ranks 38th out of 49 states and territories for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oregon$53,680
2Maine$51,820
3Washington$51,160
4Colorado$50,790
5Minnesota$49,770

Working as Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Alabama

Nationally, about 171,000 people work as Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Alabama pay ($43,830) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Alabama?
The median Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Alabama is $43,830 per year, or about $21.07 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,660 at the entry level to $54,760 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alabama pay compare to the national average?
Alabama pays Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 5% less than the national median of $46,330. Alabama ranks 38th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alabama a good state for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $43,830 a year. About 6,000 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in Alabama. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Alabama?
The highest-paying occupations in Alabama include Cardiologist ($519,480), Dermatologist ($394,550), Anesthesiologist ($392,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.