Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $44,920 a year ($21.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,360 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $47,180. Pay here is 5% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $47,320. There are 0.86 multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,720 | $18.13 |
| 25th percentile | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| Median | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| 75th percentile | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,360 | $30.46 |
| Average (mean) | $46,120 | $22.17 |
Half of multiple machine tool 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 | $3,743.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,871.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,727.69 |
| Weekly | $863.85 |
| Hourly | $21.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $52,530 | 1,210 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $52,380 | 280 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $48,620 | 100 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $48,520 | 600 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $46,360 | 80 |
| Asheville, NC | $45,720 | 70 |
| Burlington, NC | $45,310 | 30 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $44,550 | 120 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $40,320 | 100 |
| Greenville, NC | $35,790 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | $76,080 |
| Kentucky | $54,960 |
| Missouri | $53,160 |
| Maryland | $51,780 |
| Nebraska | $50,960 |
| Virginia | $50,600 |
| Washington | $50,540 |
| Vermont | $50,450 |
| Idaho | $50,410 |
| New York | $49,890 |
See Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $53,800 | $25.87 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Machinist | $43,430 | $20.88 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $46,080 | $22.16 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $41,240 | $19.83 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $63,230 | $30.40 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $39,300 | $18.89 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| Upholsterer | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $46,540 | $22.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $64,910 | $31.21 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $43,140 | $20.74 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,720 | $18.62 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $47,940 | $23.05 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4081. 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 multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $44,920 a year, or $21.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $63,360 a year. The top 25% earn $49,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,720 a year, and a quarter of multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $38,400 or less.
How many multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 130 multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.