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Production & Manufacturing

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in U.S.

The median pay for a plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in U.S. is $41,600/year ($20/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $32K at the entry level to $58K for experienced workers.

AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)

$42K
Median annual
$20/hr
Hourly rate
$32K
Entry level (10th %)
$58K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $42K get you in U.S.?

Estimated monthly take-home$2,955/mo
Median 2BR rent-$1,412/mo
Rent as % of take-home47.8% (above 30% guideline)
Cost-of-living adjusted salary$41,600/yr
Monthly remaining after rent$1,543/mo
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About plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics

U.S. employed: 31,510
Category: Production & Manufacturing
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Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.

Bar chart showing Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary percentiles in U.S.: 10th percentile $31,940, 25th percentile $36,620, median $41,600, 75th percentile $48,990, 90th percentile $58,320. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$32K25th$37KMedian$42K75th$49K90th$58K
Bar chart showing Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary percentiles in U.S.: 10th percentile $31,940, 25th percentile $36,620, median $41,600, 75th percentile $48,990, 90th percentile $58,320. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $42K.Top earners bring in $58K or more - a $26K spread from bottom to top.

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Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay across states

Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure

StateMedian salaryvs. nationalEmployment
Washington$51K+22%390
Oklahoma$49K+17%170
Mississippi$49K+17%100
Oregon$47K+12%270
New Hampshire$47K+12%100
Minnesota$46K+12%720
California$46K+11%5,580
Utah$46K+11%180
Massachusetts$46K+9%1,020
Iowa$45K+9%170
Tennessee$45K+9%1,060
Illinois$45K+8%1,880
Missouri$44K+7%180
New York$44K+6%1,000
Ohio$44K+5%1,640

Track plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary changes

BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.

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Frequently asked questions

How much do plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics make in U.S.?

The median is $41,600 a year - that works out to about $20 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,940, and experienced plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics can clear $58,320. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $42K enough to live in U.S.?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,955/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 47.8% 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 plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary go in U.S.?

U.S. 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 plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary is worth about $41,600 in national-average purchasing power.

Where do plating 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.

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