Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$43,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $43,960
State Rank
#24 of 40
710 employed here

How much do Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in North Carolina?

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $43,540 per year, or about $20.93 per hour. That is 1% below the national median of $43,960 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $30,260 while the top 10% make $57,770 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,750 and $47,920 a year.

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$30,260$14.55
25th percentile (early career)$36,750$17.67
50th percentile (median)$43,540$20.93
75th percentile (experienced)$47,920$23.04
90th percentile (top earners)$57,770$27.77

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 24th out of 40 states and territories for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Iowa$70,910
2Washington$58,000
3Mississippi$52,090
4Arkansas$51,140
5Oklahoma$49,330

Working as Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in North Carolina

Nationally, about 32,000 people work as Plating Machine 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 ($43,540) 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 Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in North Carolina?
The median Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in North Carolina is $43,540 per year, or about $20.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,260 at the entry level to $57,770 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic about 1% less than the national median of $43,960. North Carolina ranks 24th out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $43,540 a year. About 710 Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are employed in North Carolina. 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 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 Plating Machine 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.