Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Reading, PA
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics in Reading, PA make a median of $64,860 a year, or about $31.18 an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $68K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.06), that's roughly $66,825 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,575/month — about 36.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $65K get you in Reading?
About rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Reading, PA
Entry-level rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K.Top earners bring in $68K or more - a $17K spread from bottom to top.
Rolling 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $64K | +32% | 80 |
| Washington | $62K | +27% | 370 |
| Connecticut | $59K | +22% | 120 |
| Iowa | $56K | +16% | 560 |
| New Hampshire | $55K | +14% | 40 |
| New York | $55K | +13% | 510 |
| West Virginia | $54K | +11% | 540 |
| Minnesota | $53K | +9% | 140 |
| Maryland | $51K | +5% | 290 |
| Indiana | $51K | +5% | 1,390 |
| Alabama | $51K | +5% | 1,490 |
| Wisconsin | $50K | +3% | 300 |
| Vermont | $50K | +2% | 40 |
| Illinois | $49K | +2% | 660 |
| Ohio | $49K | +1% | 1,990 |
Track rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Reading numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics make in Reading, PA?
The median is $64,860 a year - that works out to about $31.18 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,400, and experienced rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastics can clear $67,970. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in Reading?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,335/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,575/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 36.3% 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 rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary go in Reading?
Reading has a Regional Price Parity of 97.06 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary is worth about $66,825 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do rolling 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.