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Occupation · SOC 51-4022

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

There are 8,930 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $49,030 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
8,930
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$49,030
Median pay a year
Middle half: $42,440–$60,130
600
Annual openings
10-year change: −17.2%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 27 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 $59,320 · LCA filings 0510$59,3200
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $61,980 · LCA filings 0380$61,9800
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNMedian pay $44,460 · LCA filings 0240$44,4600
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $36,730 · LCA filings 0230$36,7300
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $38,580 · LCA filings 0200$38,5800
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $63,880 · LCA filings 0190$63,8800
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $44,900 · LCA filings 0180$44,9000
Columbus, INMedian pay $52,060 · LCA filings 0140$52,0600
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, INMedian pay $57,740 · LCA filings 0120$57,7400
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $49,700 · LCA filings 0100$49,7000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

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

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$67,230400
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDEmployment 190 · LCA filings 0$63,8801900
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIEmployment 380 · LCA filings 0$61,9803800
Milwaukee–Waukesha, WIEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$60,500600
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$60,090900

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 $53,206 · Level III $61,880 · Level IV $70,554$44,533$53,206$61,880$70,554
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $50,170 · Level III $56,493 · Level IV $62,795$43,867$50,170$56,493$62,795
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNLevel II $42,973 · Level III $44,990 · Level IV $47,008$40,955$42,973$44,990$47,008
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $32,926 · Level III $39,291 · Level IV $45,656$26,562$32,926$39,291$45,656
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $41,018 · Level III $46,779 · Level IV $52,562$35,235$41,018$46,779$52,562
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $52,374 · Level III $59,363 · Level IV $66,373$45,365$52,374$59,363$66,373
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $40,934 · Level III $44,658 · Level IV $48,381$37,211$40,934$44,658$48,381
Columbus, INLevel II $48,818 · Level III $52,083 · Level IV $55,349$45,552$48,818$52,083$55,349
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, INLevel II $46,093 · Level III $52,000 · Level IV $57,886$40,206$46,093$52,000$57,886
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $49,795 · Level III $53,560 · Level IV $57,346$46,010$49,795$53,560$57,346

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

See Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in every metro area

All 27 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