Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary
- 10th pct
- $36,670
- Middle 50%
- $43,250–$60,700
- 90th pct
- $69,700
The BLS estimates 16,710 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic jobs in the U.S. with a median base pay of $50,620 ($24.34 an hour) (May 2025, SOC 51-4034). Across 14 metros with published figures, medians range from $36,770 in Waterbury-Shelton, CT to $74,420 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE16,710 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall U.S. employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · United States
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Where Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn the most
14 metros · BLS
Highest-paying metros
| Metro | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $74,420 | 360 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $66,500 | 220 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $61,890 | 510 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $61,050 | 240 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $60,110 | 1,280 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,990 | 230 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $57,010 | 210 |
| Cleveland, OH | $51,340 | 350 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $50,700 | 270 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $49,980 | 590 |
Largest metros
| Metro | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $60,110 | 1,280 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $47,900 | 1,020 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $49,210 | 740 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $49,980 | 590 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $61,890 | 510 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $74,420 | 360 |
| Cleveland, OH | $51,340 | 350 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $36,770 | 280 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $50,700 | 270 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $61,050 | 240 |
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All metros (A–Z)
BLS
Questions
What is the median Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in the U.S.?
$50,620 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half earn $43,250–$60,700.
How much do Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make an hour?
The BLS U.S. median is $24.34 an hour (May 2025). The middle half earn $20.79–$29.18 an hour, and the 90th percentile is $33.51. These are straight-time wages, before overtime and shift differentials.
Where do Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn the most?
Highest metro medians: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($74,420), Pittsburgh, PA ($66,500), Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH ($61,890). Cost of living differs, so compare offers locally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025 (metro, state and national estimates). Employer filing counts: U.S. DOL OFLC LCA disclosure data FY2026 Q3, visa-sponsored positions only.