Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

The median is $45,520 a year, that works out to about $22 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,760, and experienced lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics can clear $57,630. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,047/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,820/month, which eats 59.7% 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.

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell has a Regional Price Parity of 100.06 (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 lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary is worth about $45,493 in national-average purchasing power.

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.