Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands

In Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (TX), the median pay for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $20.88 an hour ($43,420 a year). About 3,810 people work in this job there.

$20.88Median hourly pay
$37,230–$47,650Middle half of workers, yearly
3,810People in this job in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (TX)

That is 6% lower than the U.S. median ($46,330). It is 2% higher than the Texas median ($42,720).

Pay range for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (TX)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$16.78$34,900
25% of workers$17.90$37,230
Half of workers (median)$20.88$43,420
75% of workers$22.91$47,650
90% of workers$27.57$57,340

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

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Amarillo$49,690160
Midland$45,60050
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos$45,470430
Odessa$44,82060
Texarkana$44,610130
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington$43,9504,440
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (this page)$43,4203,810
Sherman-Denison$41,74060
San Antonio-New Braunfels$41,530780
Wichita Falls$40,260120
Killeen-Temple$40,180130
Longview$40,010120
Abilene$40,00060
College Station-Bryan$38,50060
Waco$37,700180
Tyler$37,40060
Lubbock$36,98060
Brownsville-Harlingen$36,610100
Corpus Christi$36,370150
El Paso$35,410280
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission$33,84060

Texas unemployment rate: 4.4% (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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (TX)

JobMedian yearly pay
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$42,050
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$43,280
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$57,940
Machinists$61,280
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,650
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$42,650
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,900

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.