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Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in the United States

In the U.S., the median pay for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $22.27 an hour ($46,330 a year). About 171,200 people work in this job there.

$22.27Median hourly pay
$38,870–$55,410Middle half of workers, yearly
171,200People in this job in the U.S.

Pay range for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the U.S.

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$17.19$35,760
25% of workers$18.69$38,870
Half of workers (median)$22.27$46,330
75% of workers$26.64$55,410
90% of workers$31.50$65,510

Best-paying states for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

StateMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Oregon$53,6801,180
Maine$51,820180
Washington$51,1601,750
Colorado$50,7901,400
Minnesota$49,7706,130
Wisconsin$49,2707,960
Alaska$49,01080
Illinois$48,9908,060
Nebraska$48,6901,320
Montana$48,490130

Pay by state

Education, experience and outlook for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

  • Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: -10.5% over ten years, declining · about 13,200 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in the U.S.

JobMedian yearly pay
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,180
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,550
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$43,380
Tool and Die Makers$64,050
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,570
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,140
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$52,800
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand$42,660

Other job titles for this job

Perforator OperatorBillet CutterBolt CutterNotcherPress Brake OperatorMachine SetterSaw OperatorManufacturing OperatorSetup OperatorAngle Shear OperatorAngle Shear Setup OperatorArbor Press Operator

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.