Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Indiana
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Indiana earn a median of $53,550 a year ($25.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,910 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $49,030. Indiana ranks 12th of 32 states for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic pay. There are 0.14 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,600, close to the median.
Pay range for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| 25th percentile | $48,960 | $23.54 |
| Median | $53,550 | $25.75 |
| 75th percentile | $57,910 | $27.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,910 | $29.28 |
| Average (mean) | $52,600 | $25.29 |
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 | $4,462.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,231.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,059.62 |
| Weekly | $1,029.81 |
| Hourly | $25.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $57,740 | 120 |
| Columbus, IN | $52,060 | 140 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $49,700 | 100 |
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 Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Indiana is $53,550 a year, or $25.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Indiana?
The top 10% of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Indiana earn at least $60,910 a year. The top 25% earn $57,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,330 a year, and a quarter of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $48,960 or less.
How many forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in Indiana?
About 450 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.