Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the United States was $46,330 ($22.27 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
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 survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers — $48,520/yr
- Construction Laborers — $47,120/yr
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $83,050/yr
- Project Management Specialists — $102,320/yr
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $72,040/yr
- Light Truck Drivers — $44,860/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 2025.
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.