Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in California

In California, the median pay for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $28.49 an hour ($59,250 a year). About 750 people work in this job there.

$28.49Median hourly pay

$45,850–$78,240Middle half of workers, yearly

750People in this job in California

That is 21% higher than the U.S. median ($49,030). California ranks 6th of 32 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in California

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$20.86	$43,390
25% of workers	$22.04	$45,850
Half of workers (median)	$28.49	$59,250
75% of workers	$37.61	$78,240
90% of workers	$39.29	$81,730

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in California metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont	$67,230	40
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim	$59,320	510
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario	$49,180	90

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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 California

Job	Median yearly pay
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$47,240
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$45,890
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$48,450
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	$46,370
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$46,810
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$60,180
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$59,050
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand	$44,450

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.