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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$44,420
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $46,330
State Rank
#37 of 49
4,100 employed here

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

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in South Carolina take home a median of $44,420 annually — roughly $21.36 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $46,330.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $34,000 while the top 10% make $62,410 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,230 and $49,290 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,000$16.35
25th percentile (early career)$39,230$18.86
50th percentile (median)$44,420$21.36
75th percentile (experienced)$49,290$23.70
90th percentile (top earners)$62,410$30.00

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 37th 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 South Carolina

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 South Carolina pay ($44,420) 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 South Carolina?
The median Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in South Carolina is $44,420 per year, or about $21.36 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,000 at the entry level to $62,410 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 4% less than the national median of $46,330. South Carolina ranks 37th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,420 a year. About 4,100 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.