Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Arkansas (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arkansas Median
$39,060
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.78
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-23% vs US median
US median $50,620
State Rank
#36 of 36
190 employed here

How much do Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Arkansas?

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Arkansas take home a median of $39,060 annually — roughly $18.78 an hour — which runs 23% below the national median of $50,620.

Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $31,860 while the top 10% make $51,410 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,860 and $43,250 a year.

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in Arkansas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,860$15.32
25th percentile (early career)$31,860$15.32
50th percentile (median)$39,060$18.78
75th percentile (experienced)$43,250$20.79
90th percentile (top earners)$51,410$24.72

How Arkansas compares

Arkansas ranks 36th out of 36 states and territories for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Colorado$71,670
2Maine$64,800
3Minnesota$61,000
4Massachusetts$60,870
5California$60,180

Working as Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Arkansas

Nationally, about 17,000 people work as Lathe and Turning Machine Tool 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 Arkansas pay ($39,060) 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 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Arkansas?
The median Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Arkansas is $39,060 per year, or about $18.78 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,860 at the entry level to $51,410 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 23% less than the national median of $50,620. Arkansas ranks 36th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $39,060 a year. About 190 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in Arkansas. 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 Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Lathe and Turning Machine Tool 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.