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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$48,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.16
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $50,620
State Rank
#26 of 36
190 employed here

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

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic working in New Jersey earn a median salary of $48,180 per year, or about $23.16 per hour. That is 5% below the national median of $50,620 for this occupation.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $36,120 while the top 10% make $75,110 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,480 and $62,610 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,120$17.37
25th percentile (early career)$41,480$19.94
50th percentile (median)$48,180$23.16
75th percentile (experienced)$62,610$30.10
90th percentile (top earners)$75,110$36.11

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 26th 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 New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($48,180) 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 New Jersey?
The median Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in New Jersey is $48,180 per year, or about $23.16 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,120 at the entry level to $75,110 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 5% less than the national median of $50,620. New Jersey ranks 26th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,180 a year. About 190 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in New Jersey. 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 New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.