Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $50,620, or $24.34 per hour. About 16,710 people work in this occupation nationwide. Wages vary substantially by state — from $71,670 in Colorado to $39,060 in Arkansas.
Wage distribution nationwide
Earnings spread across all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Salary by state
All 36 states with published data, ranked by median annual wage.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | $71,670 | $34.46 | 150 | 0.49 |
| 2 | Maine | $64,800 | $31.15 | 80 | 1.17 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $61,000 | $29.33 | 150 | 0.46 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $60,870 | $29.27 | 690 | 1.76 |
| 5 | California | $60,180 | $28.93 | 2,600 | 1.33 |
| 6 | Alabama | $58,490 | $28.12 | 100 | 0.45 |
| 7 | Nevada | $58,240 | $28.00 | 60 | 0.34 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $57,020 | $27.41 | 580 | 0.89 |
| 9 | Arizona | $55,840 | $26.85 | 110 | 0.33 |
| 10 | Illinois | $54,930 | $26.41 | 1,260 | 1.92 |
| 11 | Maryland | $54,860 | $26.38 | 60 | 0.20 |
| 12 | North Carolina | $53,840 | $25.89 | 310 | 0.59 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $53,660 | $25.80 | 50 | 0.64 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | $51,020 | $24.53 | 340 | 1.07 |
| 15 | New York | $50,760 | $24.40 | 530 | 0.51 |
| 16 | Louisiana | $50,560 | $24.31 | 90 | 0.43 |
| 17 | Iowa | $50,370 | $24.21 | 180 | 1.05 |
| 18 | Georgia | $50,180 | $24.13 | 100 | 0.19 |
| 19 | Ohio | $49,880 | $23.98 | 1,180 | 1.97 |
| 20 | South Carolina | $49,490 | $23.79 | 370 | 1.49 |
| 21 | Indiana | $49,420 | $23.76 | 710 | 2.08 |
| 22 | Connecticut | $49,380 | $23.74 | 690 | 3.79 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $48,980 | $23.55 | 150 | 2.02 |
| 24 | Missouri | $48,950 | $23.53 | 160 | 0.51 |
| 25 | Virginia | $48,920 | $23.52 | 210 | 0.47 |
| 26 | New Jersey | $48,180 | $23.17 | 190 | 0.41 |
| 27 | Texas | $48,020 | $23.09 | 2,150 | 1.42 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $47,350 | $22.76 | 120 | 1.11 |
| 29 | Kansas | $47,310 | $22.75 | 90 | 0.57 |
| 30 | Kentucky | $47,060 | $22.62 | 250 | 1.14 |
| 31 | Michigan | $46,680 | $22.44 | 1,540 | 3.26 |
| 32 | Florida | $44,710 | $21.49 | 140 | 0.13 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $43,680 | $21.00 | 240 | 1.30 |
| 34 | Oregon | $41,640 | $20.02 | 40 | 0.19 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $40,730 | $19.58 | 700 | 1.99 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $39,060 | $18.78 | 190 | 1.33 |
Related occupations
Same job family, ranked by national employment.
Frequently asked questions
How much do lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?
The median annual wage for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the United States is $50,620, or $24.34 per hour. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $36,670, and the top 10% earn $69,700.
How many lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in the U.S.?
About 16,710 people work as lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic nationwide.
Which state pays lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
Colorado pays the most at a median of $71,670, followed by Maine ($64,800) and Minnesota ($61,000).
Which state pays lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the least?
Arkansas has the lowest median at $39,060.
Where are lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic jobs most concentrated?
The location quotient measures employment concentration relative to the national average. The highest is Connecticut at 3.79×.