Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary grow from entry-level to senior in Virginia? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
26% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • Virginia salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Virginia spans from $47,740 at entry-level to $59,930 at senior level — a difference of $12,190 per year.
Senior Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics in Virginia earn $12,190 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary increases with experience in Virginia, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $47,740 | $3,978 | $22.95 |
| Early Career | P25 | $48,130 | $4,011 | $23.14 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $54,230 | $4,519 | $26.07 |
| Experienced | P75 | $55,740 | $4,645 | $26.80 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $59,930 | $4,994 | $28.81 |
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Virginia has a moderate salary progression with a 26% growth from entry-level ($47,740) to senior ($59,930). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($54,230) and P90 ($59,930) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does Virginia rank for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic senior-level salaries? Compare Virginia's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics (10th percentile) earn approximately $47,740 per year, or $3,978 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $48,130. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics (90th percentile) earn approximately $59,930 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $55,740. This represents a career premium of 26% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics is 26%. Entry-level professionals start at $47,740, while senior-level can earn up to $59,930 — a difference of $12,190 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics is Virginia, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $59,930 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
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Salary percentile data for Virginia from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Virginia.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS