Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Rockford, IL
In Rockford, IL, heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics earn $37,970 at the median — $18.26 an hour. The range runs from $32K at the entry level to $58K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.15), which stretches that salary to about $41,205 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,175/month — about 45.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $38K get you in Rockford?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Rockford’s Regional Price Parity (92.15). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Rockford, IL
Entry-level heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $38K. Top earners bring in $58K or more, a $26K spread from bottom to top.
Heat Treating Equipment 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $64K | +35% | 140 |
| Oregon | $62K | +31% | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $55K | +17% | 190 |
| West Virginia | $55K | +16% | 60 |
| New York | $52K | +11% | 280 |
| Kentucky | $51K | +8% | 260 |
| Kansas | $51K | +7% | 80 |
| Arizona | $50K | +6% | 140 |
| New Hampshire | $50K | +6% | 60 |
| Iowa | $50K | +4% | 160 |
| Ohio | $49K | +4% | 1,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $49K | +4% | 1,410 |
| Virginia | $49K | +3% | 140 |
| Indiana | $49K | +2% | 990 |
| Mississippi | $48K | +2% | 100 |
| Michigan | $48K | +2% | 1,220 |
| California | $48K | +2% | 800 |
| Missouri | $48K | +1% | 320 |
| Wisconsin | $48K | +1% | 510 |
| Nebraska | $47K | -0% | 50 |
| Minnesota | $47K | -1% | 110 |
| Utah | $46K | -2% | 110 |
| South Carolina | $45K | -5% | 460 |
| New Jersey | $45K | -5% | 210 |
| Alabama | $45K | -6% | 150 |
| Texas | $44K | -7% | 1,940 |
| Florida | $44K | -8% | 180 |
| North Carolina | $44K | -8% | 350 |
| Illinois | $42K | -12% | 960 |
| Oklahoma | $41K | -13% | 140 |
| Georgia | $41K | -14% | 440 |
| Tennessee | $38K | -20% | 180 |
| Connecticut | $38K | -20% | 230 |
| Arkansas | $35K | -26% | 240 |
Showing 1–10 of 34 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Rockford numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics make in Rockford, IL?
The median is $37,970 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,280, and experienced heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics can clear $57,870. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $38K enough to live in Rockford?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,556/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,175/month, which eats 46% 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 heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary go in Rockford?
Rockford has a Regional Price Parity of 92.15 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary is worth about $41,205 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do heat treating equipment 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.