Department of Labor Logo United States Department of Labor
Dot gov

The .gov means it's official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023

51-4022 Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.


National estimates for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Industry profile for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Geographic profile for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

National estimates for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Employment (1) Employment
RSE (3)
Mean hourly
wage
Mean annual
wage (2)
Wage RSE (3)
9,170 3.8 % $ 22.76 $ 47,350 0.9 %

Percentile wage estimates for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Percentile 10% 25% 50%
(Median)
75% 90%
Hourly Wage $ 15.32 $ 18.46 $ 22.59 $ 26.07 $ 30.80
Annual Wage (2) $ 31,860 $ 38,390 $ 46,990 $ 54,220 $ 64,070


Industry profile for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Industries with the highest published employment and wages for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, see the Create Customized Tables function.

Industries with the highest levels of employment in Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Industry Employment (1) Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) 3,440 0.73 $ 22.77 $ 47,360
Plastics Product Manufacturing 810 0.13 $ 16.02 $ 33,320
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing 760 0.14 $ 22.68 $ 47,170
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) 710 0.14 $ 25.19 $ 52,400
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing 560 0.17 $ 24.68 $ 51,330

Industries with the highest concentration of employment in Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Industry Employment (1) Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) 3,440 0.73 $ 22.77 $ 47,360
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing 250 0.30 $ 24.59 $ 51,150
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing 560 0.17 $ 24.68 $ 51,330
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) 710 0.14 $ 25.19 $ 52,400
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing 760 0.14 $ 22.68 $ 47,170

Top paying industries for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Industry Employment (1) Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) 340 0.02 $ 30.26 $ 62,950
Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel 80 0.13 $ 25.24 $ 52,500
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) 710 0.14 $ 25.19 $ 52,400
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing 560 0.17 $ 24.68 $ 51,330
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing 250 0.30 $ 24.59 $ 51,150


Geographic profile for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, see the Create Customized Tables function.



Map of employment of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic by state, May 2023


States with the highest employment level in Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Michigan 1,170 0.27 4.46 $ 23.77 $ 49,450
Tennessee 1,020 0.32 5.24 $ 17.76 $ 36,940
Kentucky 860 0.44 7.24 $ 26.78 $ 55,710
Ohio 680 0.12 2.06 $ 23.55 $ 48,990
Texas 530 0.04 0.65 $ 18.41 $ 38,290


Map of location quotient of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic by state, May 2023


States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Kentucky 860 0.44 7.24 $ 26.78 $ 55,710
Tennessee 1,020 0.32 5.24 $ 17.76 $ 36,940
Michigan 1,170 0.27 4.46 $ 23.77 $ 49,450
Nebraska 190 0.19 3.16 $ 26.89 $ 55,920
Kansas 200 0.14 2.29 $ 23.41 $ 48,700


Map of annual mean wages of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic by state, May 2023


Top paying states for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Vermont 30 0.10 1.73 $ 27.94 $ 58,120
Oregon 60 0.03 0.53 $ 27.35 $ 56,890
Nebraska 190 0.19 3.16 $ 26.89 $ 55,920
Kentucky 860 0.44 7.24 $ 26.78 $ 55,710
Alabama 70 0.03 0.55 $ 26.66 $ 55,440



Map of employment of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic by area, May 2023


Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Metropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 630 0.33 5.50 $ 24.38 $ 50,710
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 260 0.04 0.70 $ 24.77 $ 51,510
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI 260 0.06 0.95 $ 23.74 $ 49,370
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX 210 0.06 1.07 $ 22.48 $ 46,760
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA 200 0.02 0.35 $ 26.02 $ 54,130
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 170 0.06 0.98 $ 28.96 $ 60,240
Cleveland-Elyria, OH 120 0.12 2.03 $ 24.18 $ 50,280
Lansing-East Lansing, MI 120 0.58 9.59 $ 25.28 $ 52,570
Memphis, TN-MS-AR 120 0.19 3.21 $ 20.08 $ 41,770
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA 110 0.91 15.07 $ 16.18 $ 33,650


Map of location quotient of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic by area, May 2023


Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Metropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Columbus, IN 70 1.36 22.59 $ 21.88 $ 45,510
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA 110 0.91 15.07 $ 16.18 $ 33,650
Jackson, TN 50 0.68 11.26 $ 19.05 $ 39,620
Lansing-East Lansing, MI 120 0.58 9.59 $ 25.28 $ 52,570
Johnson City, TN 40 0.45 7.51 $ 19.29 $ 40,130
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA 70 0.36 6.03 $ 25.30 $ 52,620
Wichita, KS 100 0.34 5.66 $ 23.94 $ 49,800
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 630 0.33 5.50 $ 24.38 $ 50,710
Chattanooga, TN-GA 90 0.33 5.39 $ 17.88 $ 37,190
Erie, PA 30 0.29 4.81 $ 23.95 $ 49,810


Map of annual mean wages of forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic by area, May 2023


Top paying metropolitan areas for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Metropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 170 0.06 0.98 $ 28.96 $ 60,240
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA 30 0.02 0.34 $ 28.50 $ 59,270
Lincoln, NE 50 0.26 4.28 $ 28.08 $ 58,400
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 50 0.04 0.64 $ 26.11 $ 54,310
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA 200 0.02 0.35 $ 26.02 $ 54,130
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI 60 0.07 1.17 $ 25.80 $ 53,670
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA 70 0.36 6.03 $ 25.30 $ 52,620
Lansing-East Lansing, MI 120 0.58 9.59 $ 25.28 $ 52,570
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC 50 0.04 0.62 $ 24.83 $ 51,640
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 260 0.04 0.70 $ 24.77 $ 51,510

Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment in Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Nonmetropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area 150 1.09 18.10 $ 16.03 $ 33,330
Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area 120 0.94 15.62 $ 20.79 $ 43,250
Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area 90 0.51 8.40 $ 18.78 $ 39,070
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area 70 0.46 7.54 $ 23.11 $ 48,060
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area 60 0.24 4.04 $ 21.81 $ 45,350

Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Nonmetropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area 150 1.09 18.10 $ 16.03 $ 33,330
Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area 120 0.94 15.62 $ 20.79 $ 43,250
East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area 60 0.90 14.97 $ 26.09 $ 54,260
Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area 90 0.51 8.40 $ 18.78 $ 39,070
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area 70 0.46 7.54 $ 23.11 $ 48,060

Top paying nonmetropolitan areas for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Nonmetropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area 30 0.30 4.95 $ 27.93 $ 58,100
East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area 60 0.90 14.97 $ 26.09 $ 54,260
Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area 70 0.46 7.54 $ 23.11 $ 48,060
Southern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area 30 0.18 2.96 $ 22.87 $ 47,580
Kansas nonmetropolitan area 40 0.10 1.73 $ 22.58 $ 46,970


About May 2023 National, State, Metropolitan, and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

These estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors, all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, and all states and the District of Columbia. The top employment and wage figures are provided above. The complete list is available in the downloadable XLS files.

The percentile wage estimate is the value of a wage below which a certain percent of workers fall. The median wage is the 50th percentile wage estimate—50 percent of workers earn less than the median and 50 percent of workers earn more than the median. More about percentile wages.


(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.

(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a "year-round, full-time" hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.

(3) The relative standard error (RSE) is a measure of the reliability of a survey statistic. The smaller the relative standard error, the more precise the estimate.

(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.


Other OEWS estimates and related information:

May 2023 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

May 2023 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

May 2023 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

May 2023 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

May 2023 Occupation Profiles

Technical Notes

 

Last Modified Date: April 3, 2024