Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Los Angeles, CA
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Compare Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary & buying power
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In Los Angeles, California, workers in the occupation of Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders for Metal and Plastic earn a median annual salary of $46,530, with a median hourly wage of $22.37. This figure is slightly above the national median salary for this role, which stands at $45,590. When compared to the local area's median household income of $93,525, the earnings of individuals in this occupation represent just over half of what the typical Los Angeles household earns annually. This discrepancy highlights a significant gap between individual occupational wages and broader household incomes within the region.
Entry-level workers in this field start at lower earnings, with salaries around the 10th percentile mark of $36,860. Conversely, experienced professionals can earn up to the 90th percentile, which is approximately $60,130 annually. This variation in salary is driven by several factors including experience level, skill specialization, and productivity within specific industries or companies that demand higher precision or output. As workers gain more expertise and efficiency, their value increases, resulting in higher compensation reflective of their enhanced contributions to the workplace.
Salary percentile breakdown
Los Angeles economic context
Frequently asked questions
How much do Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make per hour in Los Angeles?
The median hourly wage for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Los Angeles, CA is $22.37, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.26 or more per hour.
Is Los Angeles above or below average for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salaries?
The median Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in Los Angeles, CA is 2.1% above the national median of $45,590. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.
What is the entry-level salary for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Los Angeles?
Entry-level Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (10th percentile) earn around $36,860 per year in Los Angeles, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,860.