Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by state
What Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics do
Typical education: High School Diploma
Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments.
Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists.
Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences.
Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.
Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary.
Top skills:Operations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingEquipment Maintenance
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay by experience level
Entry level$37,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$41,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$49,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$60,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$77,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-0.5%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
12,800
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by industry
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
25,960 workers
$63,000
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
21,920 workers
$49,500
Administrative and Support Services
13,820 workers
$39,500
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
13,810 workers
$56,000
Employment Services
13,680 workers
$39,500
Machinery Manufacturing
12,580 workers
$53,000
Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing
12,020 workers
$47,000
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only)
11,650 workers
$49,500
Plastics Product Manufacturing
11,480 workers
$47,000
Primary Metal Manufacturing
9,460 workers
$51,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pays 7% below the average across 112 roles in the Production job family (family average $56,000).
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?
The average base salary for a Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the United States is $52,000 per year, or about $25.00 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $41,000 and $60,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Production roles?
The Production job family averages $56,000 across 112 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
