The median annual wage for metal and plastic machine workers was $34,080 in May 2015.
The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,740, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $53,310.
Median annual wages for metal and plastic machine workers in May 2015 were as follows:
Computer numerically controlled machine tool programmers, metal and plastic
$48,990
Model makers, metal and plastic
45,980
Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders
42,240
Patternmakers, metal and plastic
40,960
Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
40,590
Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
38,250
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic
37,030
Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
36,810
Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
36,600
Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders
36,150
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
35,480
Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
35,070
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
33,950
Pourers and casters, metal
33,850
Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
33,120
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
32,840
Foundry mold and coremakers
32,680
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
31,280
Plating and coating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
30,550
Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
29,340
Wages vary by the size of the company, union status, industry, abilities, and experience of the operator.
Most metal and plastic machine workers are employed full time. Overtime is common, and because many manufacturers run their machinery for extended periods, evening and weekend work also is common.
Metal and Plastic Machine Workers
Median annual wages, May 2015
Total, all occupations
$36,200
Metal and plastic machine workers
$34,080
Production occupations
$32,250
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics