Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Richmond, VA
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $54,230 a year ($26.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,560 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $49,030. Pay here is about the same as the Virginia statewide median of $54,230. There are 0.11 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,780, close to the median.
Pay range for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,820 | $21.55 |
| 25th percentile | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Median | $54,230 | $26.07 |
| 75th percentile | $56,710 | $27.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| Average (mean) | $52,780 | $25.38 |
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 | $4,519.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,259.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,085.77 |
| Weekly | $1,042.88 |
| Hourly | $26.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $48,320 | n/a |
| 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the Richmond, VA metro area is $54,230 a year, or $26.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $58,560 a year. The top 25% earn $56,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,820 a year, and a quarter of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $49,500 or less.
How many forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in Richmond, VA?
About 70 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.