Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in the U.S.
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in the U.S. earn a median of $45,760 a year ($22.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 58,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,450 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $47,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,630 | $16.65 |
| 25th percentile | $38,360 | $18.44 |
| Median | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| 75th percentile | $52,580 | $25.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,450 | $30.51 |
| Average (mean) | $47,260 | $22.72 |
Half of extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders 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 | $3,813.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,906.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,760 |
| Weekly | $880 |
| Hourly | $22.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,760 salary, see how much house you can afford at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | $57,990 | 140 |
| Pennsylvania | $53,580 | 2,450 |
| Vermont | $52,340 | 160 |
| Minnesota | $52,070 | 560 |
| South Carolina | $51,620 | 2,460 |
| West Virginia | $50,690 | 180 |
| Nevada | $50,050 | n/a |
| Virginia | $49,390 | 1,810 |
| Iowa | $49,340 | 500 |
| Colorado | $49,100 | 280 |
| Utah | $49,100 | 250 |
| Nebraska | $48,760 | 750 |
| Oregon | $48,360 | 370 |
| Arkansas | $48,320 | 2,190 |
| New Hampshire | $47,730 | 410 |
| Missouri | $47,470 | 1,040 |
| Illinois | $47,370 | 1,690 |
| California | $47,300 | 4,210 |
| Massachusetts | $47,220 | 950 |
| New Jersey | $47,080 | 1,880 |
| Ohio | $47,070 | 3,970 |
| Indiana | $46,790 | 3,150 |
| Maryland | $46,640 | 280 |
| Mississippi | $46,560 | 660 |
| Arizona | $46,440 | 700 |
| Wisconsin | $46,370 | 1,730 |
| North Dakota | $46,220 | 270 |
| Connecticut | $46,090 | 240 |
| Georgia | $45,670 | 1,150 |
| New York | $44,660 | 3,260 |
| Washington | $44,510 | 750 |
| Kansas | $44,290 | 600 |
| Louisiana | $44,200 | 200 |
| South Dakota | $43,240 | 610 |
| North Carolina | $43,050 | 3,420 |
| Oklahoma | $42,180 | 1,310 |
| Tennessee | $41,970 | 4,210 |
| Florida | $39,800 | 780 |
| Michigan | $39,790 | 1,970 |
| Rhode Island | $39,230 | 80 |
| Alabama | $38,650 | 1,510 |
| Idaho | $38,580 | 210 |
| Texas | $37,710 | 3,420 |
| New Mexico | $36,710 | 80 |
| Kentucky | $36,180 | 1,690 |
| Puerto Rico | $23,330 | 330 |
Best-paying metro areas for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CA | $88,940 | 140 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $72,500 | 100 |
| Lincoln, NE | $61,820 | 170 |
| Vallejo, CA | $59,110 | 110 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $59,080 | 170 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $57,910 | 30 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $56,320 | 590 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $55,940 | 40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $55,780 | 260 |
| Appleton, WI | $54,630 | 30 |
| Reading, PA | $54,530 | 160 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $54,200 | 140 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $52,560 | 90 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $52,340 | 130 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $51,830 | 470 |
Metro areas with the most extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 2,420 | $39,680 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 1,540 | $46,710 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 1,130 | $39,530 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 1,120 | $47,150 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 850 | $47,730 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 810 | $45,760 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 730 | $50,940 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 710 | $48,660 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 680 | $48,120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 660 | $47,300 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 630 | $46,870 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 620 | $38,370 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 590 | $56,320 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 560 | $46,440 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 540 | $36,170 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,220 | $20.78 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,110 | $19.29 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 | $24.37 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $39,070 | $18.78 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,270 | $24.17 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,990 | $23.55 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,610 | $24.81 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $49,610 | $23.85 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $51,430 | $24.73 |
More: Production Occupations
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9041. 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 extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders make in the U.S.?
The median salary for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders in the U.S. is $45,760 a year, or $22.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders in the U.S. earn at least $63,450 a year. The top 25% earn $52,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,630 a year, and a quarter of extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders earn $38,360 or less.
How many extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders work in the U.S.?
About 58,770 extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.