Extruding and Forming Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender Salary 2025: $46,350 Median
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders for synthetic and glass fibers earned a median salary of $46,350 in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean hourly wage was about $22, with the typical range spanning $35,890 at the 10th percentile to $63,910 at the 90th. The occupation employed 12,850 workers, and the BLS projects a decline of 1.1% from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 2,000 openings per year.
How much Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers earn
The median annual wage for this role is $46,350, and the mean is $48,580. That translates to roughly $22 per hour. Most workers earn between $35,890 and $63,910, with the top 10% pulling in over $63,910. Pay varies significantly by location, experience, and industry.
Pay by state
Ohio tops the list at $61,440, followed by Alabama at $60,100, Indiana at $57,200, Pennsylvania at $55,960, and Minnesota at $52,600. On the lower end, Utah pays $38,570, Nebraska $37,630, and Kentucky $33,330. If you're looking to maximize earnings, the Midwest and Southeast offer the best wages.
How to become Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fiber
Most workers enter this occupation with a high school diploma and receive on-the-job training. No formal certification is required, but employers often prefer some mechanical aptitude or prior experience in manufacturing. The typical path: start as a helper or machine tender, learn the equipment, and advance to setter or operator. Some community colleges offer short courses in industrial machine operation, though not mandatory.
- Earn a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Apply for entry-level positions such as machine tender or helper.
- Complete on-the-job training, typically lasting a few months to a year.
- Gain experience to qualify for setter or operator roles.
Job outlook
The BLS projects a 1.1% decline in employment from 2024 to 2034, meaning about 140 fewer jobs. However, due to workers leaving the field, roughly 2,000 openings are expected each year. Automation and offshoring are the main drags on growth, but the need to replace retiring workers will sustain steady hiring.
Frequently asked questions
What is the starting salary for an Extruding and Forming Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender?
Entry-level workers earn around $35,890, which is the 10th percentile according to BLS data.
Do you need a degree to become an Extruding and Forming Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender?
No. A high school diploma is the typical requirement, followed by on-the-job training. No college degree or certification is necessary.
What industry employs the most Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
The BLS does not break out industry breakdowns for this specific occupation, but most work in manufacturing plants that produce synthetic fibers or glass fibers.
Is Extruding and Forming Machine Setter a dying occupation?
Not exactly; employment is projected to decline slightly by 1.1% over ten years, but about 2,000 openings per year will arise from retirements and turnover. It's stable but shrinking.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers data.