How much does a lathe and turning machine tool setter make?
The median lathe and turning machine tool setter in the United States earns $50,620 per year, about $24.34 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all lathe and turning machine tool setters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-4034.
Lathe and turning machine tool setter salary range
Pay for lathe and turning machine tool setters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,670 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $69,700. The average (mean) wage of $52,490 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 | $36,670 | $17.63 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $43,250 | $20.79 | |
| Median (50th) | $50,620 | $24.34 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $60,700 | $29.18 | |
| 90th percentile | $69,700 | $33.51 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (SOC 51-4034), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Lathe and turning machine tool setter salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Lathe and turning machine tool setters earn the most in Colorado at $71,670 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $39,060. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $71,670 | 150 |
| Maine | $64,800 | 80 |
| Minnesota | $61,000 | 150 |
| Massachusetts | $60,870 | 690 |
| California | $60,180 | 2,600 |
| Alabama | $58,490 | 100 |
| Nevada | $58,240 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,020 | 580 |
| Arizona | $55,840 | 110 |
| Illinois | $54,930 | 1,260 |
| Maryland | $54,860 | 60 |
| North Carolina | $53,840 | 310 |
| West Virginia | $53,660 | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $51,020 | 340 |
| New York | $50,760 | 530 |
| Louisiana | $50,560 | 90 |
| Iowa | $50,370 | 180 |
| Georgia | $50,180 | 100 |
| Ohio | $49,880 | 1,180 |
| South Carolina | $49,490 | 370 |
| Indiana | $49,420 | 710 |
| Connecticut | $49,380 | 690 |
| New Hampshire | $48,980 | 150 |
| Missouri | $48,950 | 160 |
| Virginia | $48,920 | 210 |
| New Jersey | $48,180 | 190 |
| Texas | $48,020 | 2,150 |
| Nebraska | $47,350 | 120 |
| Kansas | $47,310 | 90 |
| Kentucky | $47,060 | 250 |
| Michigan | $46,680 | 1,540 |
| Florida | $44,710 | 140 |
| Oklahoma | $43,680 | 240 |
| Oregon | $41,640 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $40,730 | 700 |
| Arkansas | $39,060 | 190 |
State median wages for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (SOC 51-4034), 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 lathe and turning machine tool setters
The BLS projects employment of lathe and turning machine tool setters to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 11.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 16,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 14,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,400 openings a year for lathe and turning machine tool 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 lathe and turning machine tool setter
The typical entry-level education for lathe and turning machine tool 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 lathe and turning machine tool 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 (Colorado, $71,670) and the lowest (Arkansas, $39,060) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 16,710 people work as lathe and turning machine tool setters in the United States. At $50,620 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Lathe and turning machine tool setter salary FAQ
How much does a lathe and turning machine tool setter make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a lathe and turning machine tool setter is $24.34. The middle half of lathe and turning machine tool setters earn between $20.79 and $29.18 per hour.
What is the highest lathe and turning machine tool setter salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of lathe and turning machine tool setters earn more than $69,700 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a lathe and turning machine tool setter make a year?
The median annual salary for a lathe and turning machine tool setter is $50,620. The average (mean) wage of $52,490 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 lathe and turning machine tool setter a well paid job?
At $50,620 a year, a lathe and turning machine tool setter earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 16,710 people work as lathe and turning machine tool setters in the United States.
Which state pays lathe and turning machine tool setters the most?
Colorado has the highest median salary for lathe and turning machine tool setters at $71,670 a year. Maine ($64,800) and Minnesota ($61,000) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a lathe and turning machine tool setter a good career?
Employment of lathe and turning machine tool setters is projected to shrink 11.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a lathe and turning machine tool setter?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for lathe and turning machine tool setters as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Production & Manufacturing salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.