How much does a extruding and forming machine setter make?
The median extruding and forming machine setter in the United States earns $46,350 per year, about $22.29 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all extruding and forming machine setters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-6091.
Extruding and forming machine setter salary range
Pay for extruding and forming machine setters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,890 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $63,910. The average (mean) wage of $48,580 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,890 | $17.26 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $39,360 | $18.92 | |
| Median (50th) | $46,350 | $22.29 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $57,280 | $27.54 | |
| 90th percentile | $63,910 | $30.73 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers (SOC 51-6091), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Extruding and forming machine setter salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Extruding and forming machine setters earn the most in Ohio at $61,440 a year, and the least in Kentucky at $33,330. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $61,440 | 380 |
| Alabama | $60,100 | 930 |
| Indiana | $57,200 | 390 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,960 | 490 |
| Minnesota | $52,600 | 410 |
| Maryland | $50,790 | N/A |
| Kansas | $50,320 | 320 |
| Michigan | $49,180 | 180 |
| Missouri | $48,810 | 70 |
| Iowa | $48,400 | 100 |
| Arkansas | $47,770 | 90 |
| Texas | $46,970 | 520 |
| Tennessee | $46,200 | 320 |
| Georgia | $45,360 | 2,530 |
| California | $45,290 | 330 |
| New York | $44,120 | 210 |
| Florida | $43,520 | 620 |
| South Carolina | $43,380 | 1,080 |
| Wisconsin | $41,980 | 180 |
| Virginia | $40,770 | 540 |
| North Carolina | $40,090 | 1,980 |
| Utah | $38,570 | 100 |
| Nebraska | $37,630 | 50 |
| Kentucky | $33,330 | 120 |
State median wages for extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers (SOC 51-6091), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for extruding and forming machine setters
The BLS projects employment of extruding and forming machine setters to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 13,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 13,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,100 openings a year for extruding and forming machine setters. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an extruding and forming machine setter
The typical entry-level education for extruding and forming machine setters is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an extruding and forming machine setter earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Ohio, $61,440) and the lowest (Kentucky, $33,330) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,850 people work as extruding and forming machine setters in the United States. At $46,350 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Extruding and forming machine setter salary FAQ
How much does an extruding and forming machine setter make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an extruding and forming machine setter is $22.29. The middle half of extruding and forming machine setters earn between $18.92 and $27.54 per hour.
What is the highest extruding and forming machine setter salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of extruding and forming machine setters earn more than $63,910 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an extruding and forming machine setter make a year?
The median annual salary for an extruding and forming machine setter is $46,350. The average (mean) wage of $48,580 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an extruding and forming machine setter a well paid job?
At $46,350 a year, an extruding and forming machine setter earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,850 people work as extruding and forming machine setters in the United States.
Which state pays extruding and forming machine setters the most?
Ohio has the highest median salary for extruding and forming machine setters at $61,440 a year. Alabama ($60,100) and Indiana ($57,200) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an extruding and forming machine setter a good career?
Employment of extruding and forming machine setters is projected to shrink 3.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an extruding and forming machine setter?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for extruding and forming machine setters as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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