Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other vs Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: Salary, Job Outlook & Education | Career Matchup
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Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other vs Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Compare the evidence side by side. Career Matchup shows the source data without declaring an overall winner.

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01 · Compensation

Pay and employment

Median annual wage

2025

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other$45,950
94% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4199

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,030
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4022

Mean annual wage

2025

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other$48,580
94% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4199

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$51,680
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4022

Hourly median wage

2025

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other$22.09
94% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4199

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$23.57
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4022

Hourly mean wage

2025

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other$23.36
94% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4199

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$24.85
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4022

10th percentile annual wage

2025

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other$35,350
96% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4199

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$36,800
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4022

25th percentile annual wage

2025

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other$39,190
92% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4199

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$42,440
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4022

75th percentile annual wage

2025

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other$54,100
90% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4199

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$60,130
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4022

90th percentile annual wage

2025

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other$65,510
95% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4199

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$68,720
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4022

National employment

2025

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other15,900
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4199

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic8,930
56% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4022

02 · Outlook

Employment outlook

Bars compare the same metric across the two careers. They are not an overall score.

Projected employment change

2025-2035

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other-7.1%
41% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4199

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic-17.2%
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4022

Average annual openings

2025-2035

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other1.3k
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4199

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic0.6k
46% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4022

03 · Preparation

Education and training

Typical entry-level education

2025-2035

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4199

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4022

Related work experience

2025-2035

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Value missing or suppressed in source.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4199

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNot available

Value missing or suppressed in source.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4022

On-the-job training

2025-2035

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherModerate-term on-the-job training

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4199

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticModerate-term on-the-job training

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4022

04 · Context and fit

Work context

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Contact with others

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3.6 raw · CX scale
64% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Time pressure

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3.8 raw · CX scale
70% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Spend time standing

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic4.8 raw · CX scale
96% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Exposed to contaminants

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3.4 raw · CX scale
60% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Exposed to disease or infections

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic1.1 raw · CX scale
2% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Exposed to hazardous equipment

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.6 raw · CX scale
41% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

04 · Context and fit

Skills

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Active listening

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Critical thinking

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Monitoring

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Reading comprehension

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Speaking

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.9 raw · LV scale
41% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Writing

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.5 raw · LV scale
36% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Mathematics

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.1 raw · LV scale
30% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Active learning

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2 raw · LV scale
29% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

04 · Context and fit

Work styles

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Dependability

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.5 raw · WI scale
91% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Attention to detail

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.3 raw · WI scale
89% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Stress tolerance

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic1.2 raw · WI scale
71% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Cooperation

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic0.4 raw · WI scale
57% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4022.00

Explore your next step

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other

Read the full profile, preparation, skills and source details.

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

Read the full profile, preparation, skills and source details.

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Sources

Each side retains the source release, reference period, occupation code, and file hash used for the comparison.

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release May 2025 · Reference 2025

Occupation code 51-4199 · SHA-256 b5855a37f3e03e779f6fbf173d3bbc94aeeff33426aef32fa95ce6d025bab1af

Employment Projections

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release 2025-2035 · Reference 2025-2035

Occupation code 51-4199 · SHA-256 a7d060f0576f7d4f5b829b9a0bb4a6c11a12766d159ebb0e07aab5bd2e7583c5

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

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release May 2025 · Reference 2025

Occupation code 51-4022 · SHA-256 b5855a37f3e03e779f6fbf173d3bbc94aeeff33426aef32fa95ce6d025bab1af

Employment Projections

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release 2025-2035 · Reference 2025-2035

Occupation code 51-4022 · SHA-256 a7d060f0576f7d4f5b829b9a0bb4a6c11a12766d159ebb0e07aab5bd2e7583c5

O*NET Database

Source-backed

O*NET Resource Center

Release 31.0 · Reference August 2026

Occupation code 51-4022.00 · SHA-256 c63ad00a8e45f3d3ef8e1529fcf8864d2279f2dfcb98737436818f5664781b04

Read the data in context

Career Matchup does not declare an overall winner. National estimates can hide local variation, and O*NET relative values describe the named construct rather than whether a career is better.

Career Matchup is an independent comparison tool.

Data sourcesData availabilityAboutFree guideContactPrivacyTermsData: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET® Database.