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Occupation · SOC 51-4032

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

There are 4,680 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $49,080 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
4,680
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$49,080
Median pay a year
Middle half: $41,710–$57,940
400
Annual openings
10-year change: −9.5%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 22 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $49,080 · LCA filings 0400$49,0800
Tulsa, OKMedian pay $58,210 · LCA filings 0180$58,2100
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAMedian pay $50,920 · LCA filings 0130$50,9200
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $35,660 · LCA filings 0110$35,6600
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $46,460 · LCA filings 090$46,4600
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $63,320 · LCA filings 080$63,3200
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $50,810 · LCA filings 080$50,8100
Pittsburgh, PAMedian pay $40,170 · LCA filings 080$40,1700
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INMedian pay $52,260 · LCA filings 070$52,2600
Cleveland, OHMedian pay $51,670 · LCA filings 070$51,6700

Metro areas with the highest median pay

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

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$79,120600
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIEmployment 80 · LCA filings 0$63,320800
Tulsa, OKEmployment 180 · LCA filings 0$58,2101800
Peoria, ILEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$56,840700
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$52,260700

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
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $46,322 · Level III $52,416 · Level IV $58,531$40,206$46,322$52,416$58,531
Tulsa, OKLevel II $44,970 · Level III $52,520 · Level IV $60,070$37,419$44,970$52,520$60,070
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CALevel II $52,728 · Level III $57,658 · Level IV $62,608$47,778$52,728$57,658$62,608
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $36,962 · Level III $41,371 · Level IV $45,802$32,531$36,962$41,371$45,802
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $38,730 · Level III $44,304 · Level IV $49,878$33,155$38,730$44,304$49,878
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $48,651 · Level III $56,597 · Level IV $64,542$40,706$48,651$56,597$64,542
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $47,590 · Level III $51,334 · Level IV $55,078$43,846$47,590$51,334$55,078
Pittsburgh, PALevel II $39,021 · Level III $42,182 · Level IV $45,323$35,880$39,021$42,182$45,323
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INLevel II $45,594 · Level III $50,586 · Level IV $55,557$40,622$45,594$50,586$55,557
Cleveland, OHLevel II $51,605 · Level III $54,558 · Level IV $57,533$48,630$51,605$54,558$57,533

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

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.05OPT · up to 12 months261OPT · up to 12 months

See Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in every metro area

All 22 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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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