Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in California
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California earn a median of $59,250 a year ($28.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 750 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,730 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $49,030. California ranks 6th of 32 states for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic pay. There are 0.04 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $61,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,390 | $20.86 |
| 25th percentile | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| Median | $59,250 | $28.49 |
| 75th percentile | $78,240 | $37.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,730 | $39.29 |
| Average (mean) | $61,470 | $29.55 |
Half of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,937.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,468.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,278.85 |
| Weekly | $1,139.42 |
| Hourly | $28.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,250 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $67,230 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $59,320 | 510 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $49,180 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $69,210 |
| Oklahoma | $61,720 |
| Michigan | $61,620 |
| Nebraska | $60,460 |
| Wisconsin | $60,310 |
| California | $59,250 |
| Colorado | $57,970 |
| Ohio | $56,870 |
| New York | $56,350 |
| Missouri | $55,210 |
See Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in California?
The median salary for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in California is $59,250 a year, or $28.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in California?
The top 10% of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in California earn at least $81,730 a year. The top 25% earn $78,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,390 a year, and a quarter of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $45,850 or less.
How many forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in California?
About 750 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.