Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in California
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics in California make a median of $47,660 a year, or about $22.91 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $73K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $48K get you in California?
About lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K. Top earners bring in $73K or more, a $34K spread from bottom to top.
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by metro in California
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $59K | +25% | 250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $51K | +7% | 190 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $48K | +1% | 180 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $47K | -2% | 1,100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $46K | -3% | 260 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $46K | -4% | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $42K | -11% | 100 |
Compare to other states
Track lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics make in California?
The median is $47,660 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,350, and experienced lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics can clear $72,680. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $48K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,265/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 75.7% 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.
How far does a lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary is worth about $44,903 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do lathe and turning machine tool 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.