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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Dakota Median
$46,060
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.14
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $46,330
State Rank
#29 of 49
490 employed here

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

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $46,060 per year, or about $22.14 per hour. That is 1% below the national median of $46,330 for this occupation.

Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $36,840 while the top 10% make $59,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,900 and $53,330 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,840$17.71
25th percentile (early career)$41,900$20.14
50th percentile (median)$46,060$22.14
75th percentile (experienced)$53,330$25.64
90th percentile (top earners)$59,950$28.82

How South Dakota compares

South Dakota ranks 29th 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 Dakota

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 Dakota pay ($46,060) 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 Dakota?
The median Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in South Dakota is $46,060 per year, or about $22.14 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,840 at the entry level to $59,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 1% less than the national median of $46,330. South Dakota ranks 29th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $46,060 a year. About 490 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in South Dakota. 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 Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.