How much do Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make?
The median pay for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in the United States is $45,760 per year — about $22.00 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $34,630, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $63,450.
That is $15,630 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary range by percentile
Half of all Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn between $38,360 and $52,580 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,630 | $16.65 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,360 | $18.44 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,760 | $22.00 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $52,580 | $25.28 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,450 | $30.50 |
Highest-paying states for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Maine leads the country for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay at $57,990 a year, followed by Pennsylvania ($53,580) and Vermont ($52,340). At the other end, Kentucky posts the lowest median at $36,180 — a gap of $21,810 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $57,990 | $27.88 | +27% |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $53,580 | $25.76 | +17% |
| 3 | Vermont | $52,340 | $25.16 | +14% |
| 4 | Minnesota | $52,070 | $25.03 | +14% |
| 5 | South Carolina | $51,620 | $24.82 | +13% |
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 45 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 59,000 people work as Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $47,260 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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