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

In Virginia, the median pay for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $26.07 an hour ($54,230 a year). About 560 people work in this job there.

$26.07Median hourly pay

$48,130–$55,740Middle half of workers, yearly

560People in this job in Virginia

That is 11% higher than the U.S. median ($49,030). Virginia ranks 11th of 32 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

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

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$22.95	$47,740
25% of workers	$23.14	$48,130
Half of workers (median)	$26.07	$54,230
75% of workers	$26.80	$55,740
90% of workers	$28.81	$59,930

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

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Richmond	$54,230	70
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk	$48,320	0

Virginia unemployment rate: 3.6% (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 Virginia

Job	Median yearly pay
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$47,300
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$45,370
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	$39,370
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$50,600
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$43,170
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	$59,180
Machinists	$61,290
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$45,220

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.