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Occupation · SOC 51-9041

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

There are 58,770 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $45,760 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
58,770
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$45,760
Median pay a year
Middle half: $38,360–$52,580
5,200
Annual openings
10-year change: +1.5%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 125 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $39,680 · LCA filings 02,420$39,6800
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $46,710 · LCA filings 01,540$46,7100
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $39,530 · LCA filings 01,130$39,5300
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $47,150 · LCA filings 01,120$47,1500
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $47,730 · LCA filings 0850$47,7300
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNMedian pay $45,760 · LCA filings 0810$45,7600
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NYMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 0750n/a0
Greenville–Anderson–Greer, SCMedian pay $50,940 · LCA filings 0730$50,9400
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $48,660 · LCA filings 0710$48,6600
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCMedian pay $48,120 · LCA filings 0680$48,1200

Metro areas with the highest median pay

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

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Modesto, CAEmployment 140 · LCA filings 0$88,9401400
Oshkosh–Neenah, WIEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$72,5001000
Lincoln, NEEmployment 170 · LCA filings 0$61,8201700
Vallejo, CAEmployment 110 · LCA filings 0$59,1101100
Terre Haute, INEmployment 170 · LCA filings 0$59,0801700

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
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $39,624 · Level III $44,096 · Level IV $48,568$35,152$39,624$44,096$48,568
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $43,950 · Level III $49,899 · Level IV $55,848$38,002$43,950$49,899$55,848
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $38,626 · Level III $41,995 · Level IV $45,365$35,256$38,626$41,995$45,365
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $42,890 · Level III $49,005 · Level IV $55,099$36,795$42,890$49,005$55,099
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $44,574 · Level III $47,944 · Level IV $51,334$41,184$44,574$47,944$51,334
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNLevel II $42,370 · Level III $46,987 · Level IV $51,605$37,752$42,370$46,987$51,605
Albany–Schenectady–Troy, NYLevel II $48,984 · Level III $58,802 · Level IV $68,640$39,146$48,984$58,802$68,640
Greenville–Anderson–Greer, SCLevel II $39,478 · Level III $48,547 · Level IV $57,595$30,430$39,478$48,547$57,595
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $41,600 · Level III $46,571 · Level IV $51,542$36,629$41,600$46,571$51,542
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCLevel II $42,078 · Level III $48,360 · Level IV $54,662$35,776$42,078$48,360$54,662

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