Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Illinois
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Illinois earn a median of $49,750 a year ($23.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,690 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $49,030. Illinois ranks 17th of 32 states for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic pay. There are 0.04 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $51,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,580 | $19.51 |
| 25th percentile | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| Median | $49,750 | $23.92 |
| 75th percentile | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,690 | $29.66 |
| Average (mean) | $51,970 | $24.98 |
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 | $4,145.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,072.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,913.46 |
| Weekly | $956.73 |
| Hourly | $23.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois 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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $49,750 | 30 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $49,700 | 100 |
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 Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Illinois is $49,750 a year, or $23.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make in Illinois?
The top 10% of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Illinois earn at least $61,690 a year. The top 25% earn $59,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,580 a year, and a quarter of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn $46,110 or less.
How many forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in Illinois?
About 230 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.