West Virginia Median
$37,390
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.98
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-24% vs US median
US median $49,030
State Rank
#30 of 32
state estimate
How much do Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in West Virginia?
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic working in West Virginia earn a median salary of $37,390 per year, or about $17.98 per hour. That is 24% below the national median of $49,030 for this occupation.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $33,320 while the top 10% make $63,200 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,880 and $46,700 a year.
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,320 | $16.02 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,880 | $16.77 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,390 | $17.98 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,700 | $22.45 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,200 | $30.38 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 30th out of 32 states and territories for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in other states
Oregon $69,210Oklahoma $61,720Michigan $61,620Nebraska $60,460Wisconsin $60,310California $59,250Colorado $57,970Ohio $56,870New York $56,350Missouri $55,210Virginia $54,230Indiana $53,550Massachusetts $51,770Kansas $51,120Pennsylvania $50,280Maryland $49,920Illinois $49,750South Carolina $49,610Arizona $48,730Iowa $47,010Alabama $46,970Georgia $46,490Connecticut $45,120Nevada $45,040Tennessee $43,810Florida $40,480Mississippi $39,550Arkansas $38,120Texas $37,390Kentucky $36,110New Jersey $35,630
Working as Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in West Virginia
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 West Virginia pay ($37,390) 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 West Virginia?
The median Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in West Virginia is $37,390 per year, or about $17.98 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,320 at the entry level to $63,200 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 24% less than the national median of $49,030. West Virginia ranks 30th out of 32 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,390 a year. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Forging 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.