Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Pennsylvania
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Pennsylvania earn a median of $50,280 a year ($24.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 550 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,490 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $49,030. Pennsylvania ranks 15th of 32 states for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic pay. There are 0.09 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,800 | $20.58 |
| 25th percentile | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Median | $50,280 | $24.18 |
| 75th percentile | $63,490 | $30.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,490 | $34.37 |
| Average (mean) | $54,500 | $26.20 |
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 | $4,190 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,095 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,933.85 |
| Weekly | $966.92 |
| Hourly | $24.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,280 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $63,880 | 190 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,480 | n/a |
| Erie, PA | $55,250 | 50 |
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 Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Pennsylvania is $50,280 a year, or $24.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Pennsylvania earn at least $71,490 a year. The top 25% earn $63,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,800 a year, and a quarter of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $45,260 or less.
How many forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in Pennsylvania?
About 550 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.