Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $50,440/year ($24.25/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $63K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $45,680 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 105.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $50K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K.Top earners bring in $63K or more - a $22K spread from bottom to top.
Plating 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $50,440 a year - that works out to about $24.25 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,920, and experienced plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics can clear $62,660. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,438/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 101.3% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary is worth about $45,680 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.