Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in the United States

In the U.S., the median pay for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $23.57 an hour ($49,030 a year). About 8,930 people work in this job there.

$23.57Median hourly pay

$42,440–$60,130Middle half of workers, yearly

8,930People in this job in the U.S.

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

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$17.69	$36,800
25% of workers	$20.40	$42,440
Half of workers (median)	$23.57	$49,030
75% of workers	$28.91	$60,130
90% of workers	$33.04	$68,720

Best-paying states for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

State	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Oregon	$69,210	30
Oklahoma	$61,720	0
Michigan	$61,620	620
Nebraska	$60,460	200
Wisconsin	$60,310	80
California	$59,250	750
Colorado	$57,970	140
Ohio	$56,870	500
New York	$56,350	260
Missouri	$55,210	60

Pay by state

California · $59,250
Michigan · $61,620
Ohio · $56,870
Pennsylvania · $50,280
Tennessee · $43,810
Texas · $37,390
Virginia · $54,230

Education, experience and outlook for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
Job outlook: -17.2% over ten years, declining · about 600 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in the U.S.

Job	Median yearly pay
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$46,330
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$44,350
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
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$50,140
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$50,620

Other job titles for this job

Automatic Forging Machine OperatorBoard Hammer OperatorDrop Forge OperatorDrop ForgerDrop Hammer Set Up OperatorDrophammer OperatorForge OperatorForge Press OperatorForge TenderForgerForgesmithForging Die Setter

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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.