Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary really buy you in California?
California is 12.5% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
California's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 112.5, meaning prices are 12.5% higher the national average. A Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earning $48,450 in California has the equivalent purchasing power of $43,066 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for California's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $37,090 | $32,968 | $-4,121 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $43,710 | $38,853 | $-4,856 |
| Median (P50) | $48,450 | $43,066 | $-5,383 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $58,450 | $51,955 | $-6,494 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $68,500 | $60,888 | $-7,611 |
While $48,450 sounds high, California's elevated cost of living erases 11% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $43,066. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
California's RPP of 112.5 puts it 12.5% above the national baseline cost of living. A Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
Adjusting $48,450 for California's cost of living yields $43,067 — a 11.1% loss in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.
California ranks #45 of 49 — bottom quartile for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
California ranks #45 out of 49 states for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic take-home pay in California after taxes →
A Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California earns a median salary of $48,450 per year. After adjusting for California's cost of living (RPP=112.5), the real purchasing power is $43,066 — a -11.1% difference.
California's cost of living is 12.5% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for California is 112.5 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California: $48,450 x (100 / 112.5) = $43,066. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic's nominal salary of $48,450 in California has 11.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $43,066. However, California may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
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