Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD make a median of $62,590 a year, or about $30.09 an hour. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $72K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.55), that's roughly $61,034 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,810/month — about 43.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $63K get you in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
About forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Entry-level forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $63K.Top earners bring in $72K or more - a $23K spread from bottom to top.
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $64K | +29% | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $61K | +23% | 250 |
| Kentucky | $60K | +21% | 860 |
| Nebraska | $59K | +19% | 190 |
| California | $58K | +17% | 480 |
| Oklahoma | $56K | +14% | N/A |
| New York | $53K | +8% | 160 |
| Virginia | $53K | +8% | 310 |
| Oregon | $52K | +6% | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $52K | +5% | 80 |
| Arkansas | $52K | +5% | 180 |
| Michigan | $51K | +3% | 780 |
| Kansas | $51K | +3% | 130 |
| Ohio | $50K | +2% | 680 |
| Nevada | $50K | +1% | 40 |
Track forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median is $62,590 a year - that works out to about $30.09 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,030, and experienced forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics can clear $72,380. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $63K enough to live in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,201/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,810/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 43.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary go in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.55 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary is worth about $61,034 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.