North Carolina Median
$53,840
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $50,620
State Rank
#12 of 36
310 employed here
How much do Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in North Carolina?
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in North Carolina take home a median of $53,840 annually — roughly $25.88 an hour — which runs 6% above the national median of $50,620.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $39,190 while the top 10% make $63,100 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,780 and $61,360 a year.
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,190 | $18.84 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,780 | $21.53 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,840 | $25.88 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,360 | $29.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,100 | $30.34 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 12th 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 $60,870California $60,180Alabama $58,490Nevada $58,240Pennsylvania $57,020Arizona $55,840Illinois $54,930Maryland $54,860West 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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($53,840) 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 North Carolina?
The median Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in North Carolina is $53,840 per year, or about $25.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,190 at the entry level to $63,100 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 6% more than the national median of $50,620. North Carolina ranks 12th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $53,840 a year. About 310 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.