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Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders out-earn Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators by $1K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders land at $45,760 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators at $44,650. The education gap is real: extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is Maine ($57,990); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators it's District of Columbia ($50,330).

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Median salary
$45,760
$44,650
Hourly rate
$22/hr
$21.47/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$34,630
$33,280
Senior level (90th %)
$63,450
$64,880
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
58,770
1,405,030
Job growth (10-year)
2%
-0.1%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Maine
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders median pay.

State
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators
Maine
$57,990
$45,970
Minnesota
$52,070
$46,920
Nevada
$50,050
$49,050
Iowa
$49,340
$48,920
Colorado
$49,100
$46,150
Oregon
$48,360
$46,910
New Hampshire
$47,730
$46,940
Missouri
$47,470
$46,480
California
$47,300
$47,720
Massachusetts
$47,220
$46,720
Ohio
$47,070
$45,720
Wisconsin
$46,370
$45,670
North Dakota
$46,220
$47,250
Washington
$44,510
$48,260
Kentucky
$36,180
$47,950

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn more nationally. The median is $45,760 for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators, a difference of $1K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders has the better 10-year outlook at 2% projected growth, compared to -0.1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders get paid the most?

Maine is the top-paying state for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders at $57,990/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Maine, Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn $57,990 vs. $45,970 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary breakdownView →Full Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators salary breakdownView →Best cities for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators by take-home payExplore →How to become a extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tendersGuide →How to become a miscellaneous assemblers and fabricatorsGuide →