How much does a forging machine setter make?
The median forging machine setter in the United States earns $49,030 per year, about $23.57 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all forging machine setters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-4022.
Forging machine setter salary range
Pay for forging machine setters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,800 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $68,720. The average (mean) wage of $51,680 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 | $36,800 | $17.69 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $42,440 | $20.40 | |
| Median (50th) | $49,030 | $23.57 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $60,130 | $28.91 | |
| 90th percentile | $68,720 | $33.04 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (SOC 51-4022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Forging machine setter salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Forging machine setters earn the most in Oregon at $69,210 a year, and the least in New Jersey at $35,630. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $69,210 | 30 |
| Oklahoma | $61,720 | N/A |
| Michigan | $61,620 | 620 |
| Nebraska | $60,460 | 200 |
| Wisconsin | $60,310 | 80 |
| California | $59,250 | 750 |
| Colorado | $57,970 | 140 |
| Ohio | $56,870 | 500 |
| New York | $56,350 | 260 |
| Missouri | $55,210 | 60 |
| Virginia | $54,230 | 560 |
| Indiana | $53,550 | 450 |
| Massachusetts | $51,770 | 310 |
| Kansas | $51,120 | 130 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,280 | 550 |
| Maryland | $49,920 | 30 |
| Illinois | $49,750 | 230 |
| South Carolina | $49,610 | 80 |
| Arizona | $48,730 | 30 |
| Iowa | $47,010 | N/A |
| Alabama | $46,970 | 70 |
| Georgia | $46,490 | 380 |
| Connecticut | $45,120 | 110 |
| Nevada | $45,040 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $43,810 | 1,140 |
| Florida | $40,480 | 80 |
| Mississippi | $39,550 | 70 |
| Arkansas | $38,120 | 140 |
| Texas | $37,390 | 720 |
| West Virginia | $37,390 | N/A |
| Kentucky | $36,110 | N/A |
| New Jersey | $35,630 | N/A |
State median wages for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (SOC 51-4022), 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 forging machine setters
The BLS projects employment of forging machine setters to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 17.2%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 8,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 7,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 600 openings a year for forging 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 a forging machine setter
The typical entry-level education for forging 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 a forging 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 (Oregon, $69,210) and the lowest (New Jersey, $35,630) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 8,930 people work as forging machine setters in the United States. At $49,030 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Forging machine setter salary FAQ
How much does a forging machine setter make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a forging machine setter is $23.57. The middle half of forging machine setters earn between $20.40 and $28.91 per hour.
What is the highest forging machine setter salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of forging machine setters earn more than $68,720 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a forging machine setter make a year?
The median annual salary for a forging machine setter is $49,030. The average (mean) wage of $51,680 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a forging machine setter a well paid job?
At $49,030 a year, a forging machine setter earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 8,930 people work as forging machine setters in the United States.
Which state pays forging machine setters the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for forging machine setters at $69,210 a year. Oklahoma ($61,720) and Michigan ($61,620) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a forging machine setter a good career?
Employment of forging machine setters is projected to shrink 17.2% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a forging machine setter?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for forging machine setters as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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