Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic out-earn Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators by $6K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic land at $50,620 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators at $44,650. The education gap is real: lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is Colorado ($71,670); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators it's District of Columbia ($50,330).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn more nationally. The median is $50,620 for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators, a difference of $6K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators has the better 10-year outlook at -0.1% projected growth, compared to -13.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic get paid the most?
Colorado is the top-paying state for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic at $71,670/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Colorado, Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn $71,670 vs. $46,150 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.