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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Mexico Median
$39,430
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.96
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $46,330
State Rank
#49 of 49
220 employed here

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

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in New Mexico take home a median of $39,430 annually — roughly $18.96 an hour — which runs 15% below the national median of $46,330.

Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $33,430 while the top 10% make $46,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,400 and $45,580 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$33,430$16.07
25th percentile (early career)$36,400$17.50
50th percentile (median)$39,430$18.96
75th percentile (experienced)$45,580$21.91
90th percentile (top earners)$46,720$22.46

How New Mexico compares

New Mexico ranks 49th 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 New Mexico

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 New Mexico pay ($39,430) 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 New Mexico?
The median Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in New Mexico is $39,430 per year, or about $18.96 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,430 at the entry level to $46,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 15% less than the national median of $46,330. New Mexico ranks 49th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $39,430 a year. About 220 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in New Mexico. 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 New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), 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.