Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in a specialized production role focused on operating and tending forging machinery. National employment is relatively small at 9,000 workers, and projections show a -18.9% change in employment. Even with this decline, the occupation is expected to have about 1,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing replacement needs as people retire or change careers. The national median annual salary is $49,240, with some states and metro areas offering higher pay. This career relies on a mix of mechanical ability, physical strength and stamina, attention to detail, and fine motor skills, supported by science, mathematics, and communication skills. With a typical entry point at a high school diploma or equivalent, this path may appeal to people who prefer hands-on, machine-centered work and who are prepared to build a solid technical skill set to remain competitive as the occupation changes over time.
The national median annual salary for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $49,240. Pay varies across states and metro areas. Among the top states by opportunity score, California shows a median salary of $59,250, New York $56,350, Colorado $57,970, Virginia $54,230, and Massachusetts $51,770. This indicates that location can significantly influence earning potential. At the metro level, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont stands out with a median salary of $67,230, while Denver-Aurora-Centennial is $60,090, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim $59,320, Boston-Cambridge-Newton $58,980, and New York-Newark-Jersey City $38,580. Some higher-opportunity metros and states offer salaries well above the national median, while others are lower, so workers interested in maximizing earnings may want to pay close attention to regional pay differences when considering job moves or offers.
This occupation has national employment of 9,000 and a projected employment growth rate of -18.9%. Despite this projected decline, there are still about 1,000 annual openings. This combination suggests that while the overall number of positions is expected to decrease, there will continue to be ongoing hiring needs, driven in part by workers leaving the occupation. The negative growth rate is consistent across the highlighted states and metro areas, all showing -18.9% projected growth. For job seekers, this means that opportunities may be more competitive over time, making skill development and strong performance important for long-term employability. Individuals considering this field should factor in both the current employment base and the projected contraction when planning their career path, including whether to stay in the role long term or eventually transition into related occupations such as other production or machine operator positions.
Career opportunities for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic differ noticeably by state and metro area. Among states, California has the highest opportunity score at 67.38, with a median salary of $59,250 and employment of 750. Massachusetts and New York follow with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78, and median salaries of $51,770 and $56,350, respectively. Colorado and Virginia round out the top states, both offering median salaries above $54,000 and moderate employment levels. All these states share the same projected growth rate of -18.9%, so differences in opportunity scores largely reflect current employment and wage profiles rather than growth. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City leads with a high opportunity score of 77.27 but a median salary of $38,580, showing that a strong opportunity score does not always align with higher pay. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont and Denver-Aurora-Centennial combine higher salaries with solid opportunity scores, offering distinct regional options.
The typical education level for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who have completed secondary education and are ready to move directly into the workforce. Success in this role depends heavily on the development of specific skills rather than advanced academic credentials. Key skills include mechanical ability, fine motor skills, and physical strength and stamina, which support hands-on work with machinery and materials. Science and mathematics skills contribute to understanding processes, measurements, and problem-solving on the job. Being detail oriented is important for maintaining quality and consistency, while creativity and innovation can help in improving processes or addressing production challenges. Leadership, writing and reading, and speaking and listening skills support communication, coordination, and potential advancement into roles with more responsibility. Building and demonstrating this skill set can be crucial for long-term success, given the projected employment decline in the field.
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