California Median
$60,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+19% vs US median
US median $50,620
State Rank
#5 of 36
2,600 employed here
How much do Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in California?
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic working in California earn a median salary of $60,180 per year, or about $28.93 per hour. That is 19% above the national median of $50,620 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $43,480 while the top 10% make $79,690 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,130 and $68,740 a year.
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,480 | $20.90 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,130 | $23.14 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,180 | $28.93 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $68,740 | $33.05 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,690 | $38.31 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th 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:
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in other states
Colorado $71,670Maine $64,800Minnesota $61,000Massachusetts $60,870Alabama $58,490Nevada $58,240Pennsylvania $57,020Arizona $55,840Illinois $54,930Maryland $54,860North Carolina $53,840West Virginia $53,660Wisconsin $51,020New York $50,760Louisiana $50,560Iowa $50,370Georgia $50,180Ohio $49,880South Carolina $49,490Indiana $49,420Connecticut $49,380New Hampshire $48,980Missouri $48,950Virginia $48,920New Jersey $48,180Texas $48,020Nebraska $47,350Kansas $47,310Kentucky $47,060Michigan $46,680Florida $44,710Oklahoma $43,680Oregon $41,640Tennessee $40,730Arkansas $39,060
Working as Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California
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 California pay ($60,180) 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 California?
The median Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in California is $60,180 per year, or about $28.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,480 at the entry level to $79,690 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 19% more than the national median of $50,620. California ranks 5th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,180 a year. About 2,600 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), 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.