Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $44,860 a year ($21.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,140 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $49,030. Pay here is 2% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $43,810. There are 0.08 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,450 | $17.04 |
| 25th percentile | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| Median | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| 75th percentile | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,140 | $30.36 |
| Average (mean) | $46,510 | $22.36 |
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 | $3,738.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,869.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,725.38 |
| Weekly | $862.69 |
| Hourly | $21.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $44,460 | 240 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $40,990 | 80 |
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 or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $44,860 a year, or $21.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $63,140 a year. The top 25% earn $45,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,450 a year, and a quarter of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $44,260 or less.
How many forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 50 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.