Occupation hub
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
National OEWS median $46,330 , national employment 171,200 (May 2025). Top metros below use published metro medians only.
Highest-paying metros
| Metro | Median | Middle half | OEWS emp. | RPP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $60,080 | $46,270 to $60,110 | 730 | 100 |
| San Jose | $58,580 | $52,170 to $74,160 | 410 | 110.4 |
| Denver | $58,240 | $49,960 to $66,450 | 640 | 105.8 |
| Portland | $57,110 | $49,660 to $61,500 | 800 | 105.4 |
| Seattle | $54,920 | $49,670 to $63,330 | 1,000 | 111.1 |
BLS OEWS May 2025. RPP is BEA all-items (2024), US = 100.