Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Illinois (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$49,750
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $49,030
State Rank
#17 of 32
230 employed here

How much do Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Illinois?

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic working in Illinois earn a median salary of $49,750 per year, or about $23.92 per hour. That is 1% above the national median of $49,030 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $40,580 while the top 10% make $61,690 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,110 and $59,570 a year.

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$40,580$19.51
25th percentile (early career)$46,110$22.17
50th percentile (median)$49,750$23.92
75th percentile (experienced)$59,570$28.64
90th percentile (top earners)$61,690$29.66

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 17th out of 32 states and territories for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Oregon$69,210
2Oklahoma$61,720
3Michigan$61,620
4Nebraska$60,460
5Wisconsin$60,310

Working as Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Illinois

Nationally, about 9,000 people work as Forging 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 Illinois pay ($49,750) 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 Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Illinois?
The median Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Illinois is $49,750 per year, or about $23.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,580 at the entry level to $61,690 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 1% more than the national median of $49,030. Illinois ranks 17th out of 32 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $49,750 a year. About 230 Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary report

Related salaries

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other

$45,950
median pay · 16,000 employed

Production Worker, All Other

$40,110
median pay · 252,000 employed

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic

$63,340
median pay · 3,000 employed

Woodworker, All Other

$44,530
median pay · 5,000 employed
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.