Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $50,620 · Median hourly: $24.34 · Employment: 16,710
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| 25th | $43,250 | $20.79 |
| Median | $50,620 | $24.34 |
| 75th | $60,700 | $29.18 |
| 90th | $69,700 | $33.51 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 51-4034
- Total U.S. employment: 16,710
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
How to interpret these figures
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $36,670, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $69,700 — a 1.9x gap between entry-level and top earners.
At $24.34 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $50,627 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $50,620.
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool 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 | $58,490 | $28.12 | +15.5% | 100 |
| Arizona | $55,840 | $26.85 | +10.3% | 110 |
| Arkansas | $39,060 | $18.78 | -22.8% | 190 |
| California | $60,180 | $28.93 | +18.9% | 2,600 |
| Colorado | $71,670 | $34.46 | +41.6% | 150 |
| Connecticut | $49,380 | $23.74 | -2.4% | 690 |
| Florida | $44,710 | $21.49 | -11.7% | 140 |
| Georgia | $50,180 | $24.13 | -0.9% | 100 |
| Illinois | $54,930 | $26.41 | +8.5% | 1,260 |
| Indiana | $49,420 | $23.76 | -2.4% | 710 |
| Iowa | $50,370 | $24.21 | -0.5% | 180 |
| Kansas | $47,310 | $22.75 | -6.5% | 90 |
| Kentucky | $47,060 | $22.62 | -7.0% | 250 |
| Louisiana | $50,560 | $24.31 | -0.1% | 90 |
| Maine | $64,800 | $31.15 | +28.0% | 80 |
| Maryland | $54,860 | $26.38 | +8.4% | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $60,870 | $29.27 | +20.2% | 690 |
| Michigan | $46,680 | $22.44 | -7.8% | 1,540 |
| Minnesota | $61,000 | $29.33 | +20.5% | 150 |
| Missouri | $48,950 | $23.53 | -3.3% | 160 |
| Nebraska | $47,350 | $22.76 | -6.5% | 120 |
| Nevada | $58,240 | $28.00 | +15.1% | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $48,980 | $23.55 | -3.2% | 150 |
| New Jersey | $48,180 | $23.17 | -4.8% | 190 |
| New York | $50,760 | $24.40 | +0.3% | 530 |
| North Carolina | $53,840 | $25.89 | +6.4% | 310 |
| Ohio | $49,880 | $23.98 | -1.5% | 1,180 |
| Oklahoma | $43,680 | $21.00 | -13.7% | 240 |
| Oregon | $41,640 | $20.02 | -17.7% | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,020 | $27.41 | +12.6% | 580 |
| South Carolina | $49,490 | $23.79 | -2.2% | 370 |
| Tennessee | $40,730 | $19.58 | -19.5% | 700 |
| Texas | $48,020 | $23.09 | -5.1% | 2,150 |
| Virginia | $48,920 | $23.52 | -3.4% | 210 |
| West Virginia | $53,660 | $25.80 | +6.0% | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $51,020 | $24.53 | +0.8% | 340 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Nursing Assistants — $42,260/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,500/yr
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides — $35,800/yr
- Retail Salespersons — $35,410/yr
- Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
The median annual wage for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $50,620 ($24.34 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays lathe and turning machine tool 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 lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 16,710 lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $24.34. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.