Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in Illinois

In Illinois, the median pay for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $23.55 an hour ($48,990 a year). About 8,060 people work in this job there.

$23.55Median hourly pay

$41,670–$59,030Middle half of workers, yearly

8,060People in this job in Illinois

That is 6% higher than the U.S. median ($46,330). Illinois ranks 8th of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Illinois

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$17.77	$36,960
25% of workers	$20.03	$41,670
Half of workers (median)	$23.55	$48,990
75% of workers	$28.38	$59,030
90% of workers	$35.22	$73,270

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in Illinois metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin	$50,770	6,320
Champaign-Urbana	$47,560	90
Rockford	$47,030	420
Kankakee	$46,940	50
Peoria	$46,280	210

Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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 Illinois

Job	Median yearly pay
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$44,350
Tool and Die Makers	$61,170
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$46,180
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	$41,360
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$49,740
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$63,360
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$54,180
Machinists	$58,520

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.