How much does a extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender make?
The median extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender in the United States earns $45,760 per year, about $22.00 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-9041.
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender salary range
Pay for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $34,630 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $63,450. The average (mean) wage of $47,260 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 | $34,630 | $16.65 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,360 | $18.44 | |
| Median (50th) | $45,760 | $22.00 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $52,580 | $25.28 | |
| 90th percentile | $63,450 | $30.51 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders (SOC 51-9041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders earn the most in Maine at $57,990 a year, and the least in Kentucky at $36,180. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | $57,990 | 140 |
| Pennsylvania | $53,580 | 2,450 |
| Vermont | $52,340 | 160 |
| Minnesota | $52,070 | 560 |
| South Carolina | $51,620 | 2,460 |
| West Virginia | $50,690 | 180 |
| Nevada | $50,050 | N/A |
| Virginia | $49,390 | 1,810 |
| Iowa | $49,340 | 500 |
| Colorado | $49,100 | 280 |
| Utah | $49,100 | 250 |
| Nebraska | $48,760 | 750 |
| Oregon | $48,360 | 370 |
| Arkansas | $48,320 | 2,190 |
| New Hampshire | $47,730 | 410 |
| Missouri | $47,470 | 1,040 |
| Illinois | $47,370 | 1,690 |
| California | $47,300 | 4,210 |
| Massachusetts | $47,220 | 950 |
| New Jersey | $47,080 | 1,880 |
| Ohio | $47,070 | 3,970 |
| Indiana | $46,790 | 3,150 |
| Maryland | $46,640 | 280 |
| Mississippi | $46,560 | 660 |
| Arizona | $46,440 | 700 |
| Wisconsin | $46,370 | 1,730 |
| North Dakota | $46,220 | 270 |
| Connecticut | $46,090 | 240 |
| Georgia | $45,670 | 1,150 |
| New York | $44,660 | 3,260 |
| Washington | $44,510 | 750 |
| Kansas | $44,290 | 600 |
| Louisiana | $44,200 | 200 |
| South Dakota | $43,240 | 610 |
| North Carolina | $43,050 | 3,420 |
| Oklahoma | $42,180 | 1,310 |
| Tennessee | $41,970 | 4,210 |
| Florida | $39,800 | 780 |
| Michigan | $39,790 | 1,970 |
| Rhode Island | $39,230 | 80 |
| Alabama | $38,650 | 1,510 |
| Idaho | $38,580 | 210 |
| Texas | $37,710 | 3,420 |
| New Mexico | $36,710 | 80 |
| Kentucky | $36,180 | 1,690 |
State median wages for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders (SOC 51-9041), 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, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders
The BLS projects employment of extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 58,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 59,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,200 openings a year for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders. 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, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender
The typical entry-level education for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders 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, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender 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 (Maine, $57,990) and the lowest (Kentucky, $36,180) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 58,770 people work as extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders in the United States. At $45,760 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender salary FAQ
How much does an extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender is $22.00. The middle half of extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders earn between $18.44 and $25.28 per hour.
What is the highest extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders earn more than $63,450 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender make a year?
The median annual salary for an extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender is $45,760. The average (mean) wage of $47,260 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, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender a well paid job?
At $45,760 a year, an extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 58,770 people work as extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders in the United States.
Which state pays extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders the most?
Maine has the highest median salary for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders at $57,990 a year. Pennsylvania ($53,580) and Vermont ($52,340) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender a good career?
Employment of extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders is projected to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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