Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Portland-South Portland, ME
The median pay for a molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Portland-South Portland, ME is $60,660/year ($29.16/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 101.86), that's roughly $59,552 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,130/month — about 53.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $61K get you in Portland-South Portland?
About molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-South Portland, ME
Entry-level molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K.Top earners bring in $79K or more - a $33K spread from bottom to top.
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $70K | +71% | 150 |
| Maine | $59K | +43% | 440 |
| Nevada | $53K | +28% | 370 |
| Maryland | $51K | +24% | 270 |
| Washington | $48K | +16% | 1,680 |
| Minnesota | $47K | +14% | 2,840 |
| Delaware | $47K | +13% | 210 |
| Pennsylvania | $46K | +12% | 6,890 |
| Utah | $46K | +11% | 2,830 |
| Virginia | $46K | +11% | 1,130 |
| Vermont | $45K | +10% | 210 |
| Iowa | $45K | +10% | 2,770 |
| California | $45K | +10% | 9,650 |
| Kentucky | $45K | +9% | 4,740 |
| Wisconsin | $44K | +8% | 9,320 |
Track molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Portland-South Portland numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics make in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The median is $60,660 a year - that works out to about $29.16 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,660, and experienced molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics can clear $78,540. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in Portland-South Portland?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,992/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,130/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 53.4% 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 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary go in Portland-South Portland?
Portland-South Portland has a Regional Price Parity of 101.86 (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 molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary is worth about $59,552 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do molding, coremaking, and casting 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.