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Occupation · SOC 51-4031

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

There are 171,200 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $46,330 a year. The most jobs are in Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MI.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
171,200
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$46,330
Median pay a year
Middle half: $38,870–$55,410
13,200
Annual openings
10-year change: −10.5%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 282 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $50,460 · LCA filings 011,650$50,4600
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $50,770 · LCA filings 06,320$50,7700
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $48,710 · LCA filings 04,490$48,7100
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $43,950 · LCA filings 04,440$43,9500
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MIMedian pay $42,050 · LCA filings 04,270$42,0500
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $43,420 · LCA filings 03,810$43,4200
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $48,640 · LCA filings 03,490$48,6400
Cleveland, OHMedian pay $46,300 · LCA filings 03,220$46,3000
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INMedian pay $60,230 · LCA filings 03,100$60,2300
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $46,310 · LCA filings 02,840$46,3100

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Flint, MIEmployment 380 · LCA filings 0$78,6003800
Rome, GAEmployment 200 · LCA filings 0$63,7402000
Oshkosh–Neenah, WIEmployment 560 · LCA filings 0$62,2505600
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INEmployment 3,100 · LCA filings 0$60,2303,1000
Allentown–Bethlehem–Easton, PA–NJEmployment 730 · LCA filings 0$60,0807300

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $47,216 · Level III $56,514 · Level IV $65,811$37,918$47,216$56,514$65,811
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $46,675 · Level III $53,290 · Level IV $59,883$40,082$46,675$53,290$59,883
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $43,326 · Level III $50,003 · Level IV $56,701$36,629$43,326$50,003$56,701
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $40,019 · Level III $44,429 · Level IV $48,818$35,630$40,019$44,429$48,818
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MILevel II $41,496 · Level III $46,467 · Level IV $51,418$36,546$41,496$46,467$51,418
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $39,645 · Level III $43,888 · Level IV $48,110$35,422$39,645$43,888$48,110
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $45,968 · Level III $51,854 · Level IV $57,741$40,082$45,968$51,854$57,741
Cleveland, OHLevel II $41,122 · Level III $46,571 · Level IV $52,042$35,651$41,122$46,571$52,042
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INLevel II $48,776 · Level III $55,952 · Level IV $63,149$41,579$48,776$55,952$63,149
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $43,035 · Level III $47,861 · Level IV $52,666$38,230$43,035$47,861$52,666

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology