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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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work with equipment used to shape and process metal and plastic parts. National employment is 131,000, indicating a sizable workforce in this occupation. The role draws on a blend of mechanical ability, fine motor skills, attention to detail, and physical strength and stamina. Workers in this field also benefit from skills in mathematics, adaptability, critical and analytical thinking, and project management. Creativity, innovation, and leadership can further enhance effectiveness and advancement prospects. The national median annual salary of $46,060 offers a clear earnings benchmark for considering this path. With 13,000 annual openings, there is ongoing hiring activity despite a projected employment growth rate of -0.5%. The typical education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, making this a career option that is accessible without advanced formal education while still rewarding a strong technical and practical skill set.
The national median annual salary for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $46,060. Earnings vary by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $46,160 in Colorado to $50,540 in Washington. Massachusetts shows a median of $48,230, California $46,810, and New York $49,890, highlighting noticeable differences even among leading states. At the metro level, median salaries among the top areas range from $45,350 in the New York-Newark-Jersey City region to $49,610 in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area. Boston-Cambridge-Newton has a median salary of $49,150, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont stands at $47,910 and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim at $46,810. These figures show that pay can differ significantly by region, giving workers and job seekers multiple benchmarks for comparing potential earning potential.
This occupation employs 131,000 workers nationally, reflecting a substantial presence in the labor market. Projected employment growth is -0.5%, indicating a slight expected decline overall. However, there are still an estimated 13,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing hiring needs from factors such as turnover and workforce changes. The projected growth rate of -0.5% is consistent across the highlighted states and metro areas, suggesting a similar directional trend in different regions. Even with this modest negative growth, the volume of annual openings indicates that individuals entering or progressing in this occupation can expect continuing opportunities to compete for positions. Job seekers considering this field can factor in both the stable current employment level and the projected slight contraction, balancing long-term prospects with the consistent flow of openings.
Career opportunities for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic vary by state and metro area. Among states, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington rank highest by opportunity score. Washington has the highest listed state median salary at $50,540, followed by New York at $49,890 and Massachusetts at $48,230. California and Colorado are closer to the national median, at $46,810 and $46,160 respectively. Employment levels in these states range from 220 in Colorado to 3,660 in New York and 3,190 in California. All five states share the same projected growth rate of -0.5%. Metro areas show additional differences. The New York-Newark-Jersey City region has the highest opportunity score at 77.27 and the largest employment at 2,720, with a median salary of $45,350. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria and Boston-Cambridge-Newton have higher median salaries, near or above $49,000. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim also provide notable employment and competitive pay, each with its own balance of salary, job count, and opportunity score.
The typical education requirement for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the field accessible to individuals who have completed secondary education without requiring a college degree. Within this educational framework, the occupation relies heavily on a specific set of skills. Mechanical ability and fine motor skills support effective work with equipment and materials. Being detail oriented and having physical strength and stamina are also important for sustained performance. Mathematics skills contribute to accurate measurements and calculations, while adaptability helps workers respond to changing tasks or conditions. Project management, creativity and innovation, leadership, and critical and analytical thinking round out the skill set, supporting organization, problem-solving, and potential advancement. Together, the combination of a high school education and these skills defines a pathway into the occupation that emphasizes practical competence and technical capabilities over extended formal schooling.
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