Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $46,330 · Median hourly: $22.27 · Employment: 171,200
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| 25th | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| Median | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| 75th | $55,410 | $26.64 |
| 90th | $65,510 | $31.50 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 51-4031
- Total U.S. employment: 171,200
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
A closer look
The mean wage of $48,430 sits 4.5% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
At $22.27 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $46,322 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $46,330.
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $43,830 | $21.07 | -5.4% | 6,000 |
| Alaska | $49,010 | $23.56 | +5.8% | 80 |
| Arizona | $46,610 | $22.41 | +0.6% | 1,100 |
| Arkansas | $45,580 | $21.91 | -1.6% | 3,020 |
| California | $48,450 | $23.29 | +4.6% | 7,710 |
| Colorado | $50,790 | $24.42 | +9.6% | 1,400 |
| Connecticut | $46,280 | $22.25 | -0.1% | 2,030 |
| Delaware | $41,640 | $20.02 | -10.1% | 240 |
| Florida | $39,440 | $18.96 | -14.9% | 2,740 |
| Georgia | $45,080 | $21.67 | -2.7% | 5,260 |
| Idaho | $39,580 | $19.03 | -14.6% | 720 |
| Illinois | $48,990 | $23.55 | +5.7% | 8,060 |
| Indiana | $46,980 | $22.59 | +1.4% | 9,680 |
| Iowa | $48,240 | $23.19 | +4.1% | 2,030 |
| Kansas | $46,840 | $22.52 | +1.1% | 1,900 |
| Kentucky | $45,760 | $22.00 | -1.2% | 7,290 |
| Louisiana | $40,870 | $19.65 | -11.8% | 760 |
| Maine | $51,820 | $24.92 | +11.8% | 180 |
| Maryland | $47,320 | $22.75 | +2.1% | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $45,760 | $22.00 | -1.2% | 2,590 |
| Michigan | $46,120 | $22.17 | -0.5% | 22,060 |
| Minnesota | $49,770 | $23.93 | +7.4% | 6,130 |
| Mississippi | $40,650 | $19.55 | -12.3% | 1,700 |
| Missouri | $48,310 | $23.23 | +4.3% | 3,240 |
| Montana | $48,490 | $23.31 | +4.7% | 130 |
| Nebraska | $48,690 | $23.41 | +5.1% | 1,320 |
| Nevada | $47,690 | $22.93 | +2.9% | 580 |
| New Hampshire | $48,110 | $23.13 | +3.8% | 600 |
| New Jersey | $45,680 | $21.96 | -1.4% | 1,950 |
| New Mexico | $39,430 | $18.96 | -14.9% | 220 |
| New York | $46,930 | $22.56 | +1.3% | 3,340 |
| North Carolina | $43,400 | $20.86 | -6.3% | 3,940 |
| North Dakota | $48,400 | $23.27 | +4.5% | 230 |
| Ohio | $45,230 | $21.75 | -2.4% | 13,350 |
| Oklahoma | $40,930 | $19.68 | -11.7% | 2,480 |
| Oregon | $53,680 | $25.81 | +15.9% | 1,180 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,860 | $23.01 | +3.3% | 8,890 |
| Rhode Island | $48,170 | $23.16 | +4.0% | 470 |
| South Carolina | $44,420 | $21.35 | -4.1% | 4,100 |
| South Dakota | $46,060 | $22.15 | -0.6% | 490 |
| Tennessee | $44,780 | $21.53 | -3.3% | 5,380 |
| Texas | $42,720 | $20.54 | -7.8% | 13,290 |
| Utah | $46,670 | $22.44 | +0.7% | 1,050 |
| Vermont | $43,560 | $20.94 | -6.0% | 70 |
| Virginia | $47,300 | $22.74 | +2.1% | 1,790 |
| Washington | $51,160 | $24.60 | +10.4% | 1,750 |
| West Virginia | $43,070 | $20.71 | -7.0% | 290 |
| Wisconsin | $49,270 | $23.69 | +6.3% | 7,960 |
| Wyoming | $46,890 | $22.54 | +1.2% | 60 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Customer Service Representatives — $44,770/yr
- Office Clerks, General — $45,010/yr
- Waiters and Waitresses — $35,230/yr
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,840/yr
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — $58,640/yr
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,540/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
The median annual wage for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $46,330 ($22.27 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 171,200 cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $22.27. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.