Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $52,800 | $25.39 |
| Mean (average) | $56,740 | $27.28 |
| 90th percentile | $81,030 | $38.96 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 36 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,760 | $31,590 | $49,290 | 210 | 1.25 |
| Arizona | $48,760 | $45,860 | $62,220 | 100 | 0.39 |
| Arkansas | $44,440 | $35,600 | $74,330 | 160 | 1.57 |
| California | $59,050 | $45,420 | $84,340 | 1,960 | 1.34 |
| Colorado | $53,780 | $46,210 | $62,140 | ||
| Connecticut | $79,300 | $40,040 | $95,680 | 150 | 1.11 |
| Florida | $47,220 | $36,450 | $56,160 | 140 | 0.17 |
| Georgia | $38,340 | $32,760 | $57,520 | 120 | 0.3 |
| Illinois | $63,360 | $43,680 | $66,950 | 570 | 1.16 |
| Indiana | $57,720 | $46,920 | $62,720 | 590 | 2.31 |
| Iowa | $51,600 | $42,490 | $62,770 | 140 | 1.09 |
| Kentucky | $66,440 | $39,190 | $68,720 | 540 | 3.34 |
| Maine | $45,210 | $45,210 | $74,630 | 120 | 2.4 |
| Maryland | $56,080 | $37,440 | $80,980 | 50 | 0.22 |
| Massachusetts | $62,380 | $45,900 | $81,490 | ||
| Michigan | $48,400 | $39,170 | $70,310 | 670 | 1.9 |
| Minnesota | $55,210 | $39,850 | $78,780 | 220 | 0.95 |
| Mississippi | $39,100 | $36,000 | $53,890 | 100 | 1.08 |
| Missouri | $47,680 | $35,630 | $63,590 | 350 | 1.49 |
| Nebraska | $59,630 | $40,360 | $64,680 | 70 | 0.86 |
| Nevada | $52,800 | $40,840 | $64,060 | 120 | 0.93 |
| New Hampshire | $49,230 | $47,400 | $59,110 | 50 | 0.98 |
| New Jersey | $50,530 | $39,020 | $60,810 | 190 | 0.55 |
| New York | $56,560 | $40,420 | $81,030 | 550 | 0.71 |
| North Carolina | $49,210 | $31,220 | $77,430 | 280 | 0.71 |
| Ohio | $51,310 | $45,020 | $71,650 | 610 | 1.38 |
| Oklahoma | $40,250 | $33,270 | $55,820 | 160 | 1.19 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,690 | $40,220 | $64,950 | 410 | 0.84 |
| South Carolina | $48,340 | $38,890 | $69,340 | 120 | 0.65 |
| Tennessee | $43,710 | $29,570 | $60,790 | 1,170 | 4.47 |
| Texas | $53,840 | $37,110 | $106,740 | 510 | 0.45 |
| Utah | $46,580 | $31,870 | $82,220 | 100 | 0.71 |
| Virginia | $56,410 | $40,030 | $82,460 | 90 | 0.28 |
| Washington | $86,460 | $51,050 | $110,800 | 240 | 0.84 |
| West Virginia | $45,440 | $39,740 | $61,340 | 120 | 2.21 |
| Wisconsin | $58,770 | $43,950 | $73,520 | 280 | 1.2 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,000. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Machine Tool Technology/Machinist CIP 48.0501
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
- Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
- Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
- Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
- Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.
- Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
- Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders.
- Study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations.
Technology skills
- Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Extensible markup language XML (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- EditCNC
- G-code
- Kentech machine shop software
- M-code
- Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software
- SWIVEL Software
- Siemens Solid Edge
- SmartCAMcnc SmartCAM
- Vero Software ALPHACAM
- Vero Software Edgecam
Transferable skills for career changers: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving, Troubleshooting.
Common job titles: CNC Licensed Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Licensed Mill Operator), CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator), CNC Mill Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Operator), CNC Mill Set Up Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Set Up Operator), Machine Operator, Machine Set Up Operator, Mill Operator, Miller, Milling Operator, Setup Man.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?
The national median annual wage for milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic was $52,800 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $37,840 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $81,030. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic a growing career?
BLS projects employment of milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic to change -13.2% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,000 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Washington ($86,460), Connecticut ($79,300), Kentucky ($66,440). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.