Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
The median pay for a plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $50,890/year ($24.47/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $56K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $46,740 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 67.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $51K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
About plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K.Top earners bring in $56K or more - a $17K 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $50,890 a year - that works out to about $24.47 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,690, and experienced plating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics can clear $56,050. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,413/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 65.8% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $46,740 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.