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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Colorado Median
$50,790
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.42
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $46,330
State Rank
#4 of 49
1,400 employed here

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

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic working in Colorado earn a median salary of $50,790 per year, or about $24.42 per hour. That is 10% above the national median of $46,330 for this occupation.

Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $41,690 while the top 10% make $71,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,840 and $59,830 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$41,690$20.04
25th percentile (early career)$45,840$22.04
50th percentile (median)$50,790$24.42
75th percentile (experienced)$59,830$28.76
90th percentile (top earners)$71,800$34.52

How Colorado compares

Colorado ranks 4th 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 Colorado

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 Colorado pay ($50,790) 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 Colorado?
The median Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Colorado is $50,790 per year, or about $24.42 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,690 at the entry level to $71,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 10% more than the national median of $46,330. Colorado ranks 4th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $50,790 a year. About 1,400 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), 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.