Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in the United States

In the U.S., the median pay for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $24.34 an hour ($50,620 a year). About 16,710 people work in this job there.

$24.34Median hourly pay
$43,250–$60,700Middle half of workers, yearly
16,710People in this job in the U.S.

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

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$17.63$36,670
25% of workers$20.79$43,250
Half of workers (median)$24.34$50,620
75% of workers$29.18$60,700
90% of workers$33.51$69,700

Best-paying states for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

StateMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Colorado$71,670150
Maine$64,80080
Minnesota$61,000150
Massachusetts$60,870690
California$60,1802,600
Alabama$58,490100
Nevada$58,24060
Pennsylvania$57,020580
Arizona$55,840110
Illinois$54,9301,260

Pay by state

Education, experience and outlook for lathe and turning machine tool 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: -11.3% over ten years, declining · about 1,400 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in the U.S.

JobMedian yearly pay
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,330
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
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46,570
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,140
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$52,800
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,030

Other job titles for this job

Automatic Spinning Lathe OperatorAutomatic Spinning Lathe SetterAxle TurnerBalance RecesserBalance Wheel FacerBar PointerBar TurnerBarrel FinisherBarrel TurnerBell SpinnerBevel Mill OperatorBevel 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.