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

Official state-level BLS pay data for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool 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
$54,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.41
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $50,620
State Rank
#10 of 36
1,260 employed here

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

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Illinois take home a median of $54,930 annually — roughly $26.41 an hour — which runs 9% above the national median of $50,620.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $35,990 while the top 10% make $62,830 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,550 and $57,330 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,990$17.30
25th percentile (early career)$44,550$21.42
50th percentile (median)$54,930$26.41
75th percentile (experienced)$57,330$27.56
90th percentile (top earners)$62,830$30.21

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 10th 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 Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($54,930) 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 Illinois?
The median Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Illinois is $54,930 per year, or about $26.41 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,990 at the entry level to $62,830 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 9% more than the national median of $50,620. Illinois ranks 10th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $54,930 a year. About 1,260 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool 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 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.