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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Colorado Median
$71,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.46
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+42% vs US median
US median $50,620
State Rank
#1 of 36
150 employed here

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

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Colorado take home a median of $71,670 annually — roughly $34.46 an hour — which runs 42% above the national median of $50,620.

Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $56,230 while the top 10% make $91,160 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,600 and $78,970 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$56,230$27.03
25th percentile (early career)$60,600$29.13
50th percentile (median)$71,670$34.46
75th percentile (experienced)$78,970$37.97
90th percentile (top earners)$91,160$43.83

How Colorado compares

Colorado ranks 1st 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 Colorado

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 Colorado pay ($71,670) 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 Colorado?
The median Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Colorado is $71,670 per year, or about $34.46 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,230 at the entry level to $91,160 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 42% more than the national median of $50,620. Colorado ranks 1st out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $71,670 a year. About 150 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), 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.