Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

SOC 51-4022

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

Five-year wage trends

Median wage levels across states

Focus level

Level III median wage up 23.4% since 2020-21.

2026 weighted lottery impact

Thresholds for Level III & IV

Level III threshold: $48,787

Level IV threshold: $53,269

Most common level in filings: Level II

Latest Level III median

2025-26

$48,787

Level I$40,498

Level II$44,855

Level III$48,787

Level IV$53,269

Top metros by Level III wages

Latest year median for this occupation

Rank	Metro Area	Level I	Level II	Level III	Level IV
1	Worcester, MA, MA	$64,709	$72,051	$79,373	$86,715
2	San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, CA	$57,928	$64,418	$70,928	$77,418
3	Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA, CA	$56,534	$63,398	$70,262	$77,126
4	Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA, CA	$56,160	$63,190	$70,200	$77,230
5	Vallejo, CA, CA	$56,160	$63,190	$70,200	$77,230
6	Stockton-Lodi, CA, CA	$54,912	$62,109	$69,326	$76,523
7	Modesto, CA, CA	$55,078	$62,171	$69,264	$76,357
8	Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, CA	$55,099	$62,171	$69,243	$76,315
9	San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, CA	$54,662	$61,797	$68,952	$76,086
10	Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, MA	$48,568	$58,344	$68,099	$77,875

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