How much do Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?
The median pay for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the United States is $50,620 per year — about $24.34 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $36,670, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $69,700.
That is $10,770 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range by percentile
Half of all Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn between $43,250 and $60,700 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,670 | $17.63 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $43,250 | $20.79 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,620 | $24.34 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $60,700 | $29.18 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,700 | $33.51 |
Highest-paying states for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Colorado leads the country for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay at $71,670 a year, followed by Maine ($64,800) and Minnesota ($61,000). At the other end, Arkansas posts the lowest median at $39,060 — a gap of $32,610 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | $71,670 | $34.46 | +42% |
| 2 | Maine | $64,800 | $31.15 | +28% |
| 3 | Minnesota | $61,000 | $29.33 | +21% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $60,870 | $29.26 | +20% |
| 5 | California | $60,180 | $28.93 | +19% |
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 36 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 17,000 people work as Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $52,490 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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What education do Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic need?
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