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Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in South Carolina (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary grow from entry-level to senior in South Carolina? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

75% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • South Carolina salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$39,090
$3,258/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$49,490
$4,124/mo
Senior (P90)
$68,260
$5,688/mo

South Carolina vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$39,090
National: $39,682
-1.5%
Mid-Career (Median)
$49,490
National: $51,604
-4.1%
Senior (P90)
$68,260
National: $67,702
+0.8%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in South Carolina spans from $39,090 at entry-level to $68,260 at senior level — a difference of $29,170 per year.

P10
$39K
P25
$44K
Median
$49K
P75
$61K
P90
$68K

Career Growth Premium: +75%

Senior Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics in South Carolina earn $29,170 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$29,170
Monthly Difference
+$2,431
Hourly Difference
+$14.02
Growth Multiple
1.7x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary increases with experience in South Carolina, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $39,090 $3,258 $18.79
Early Career P25 $44,820 $3,735 $21.55
Mid-Career Median $49,490 $4,124 $23.79
Experienced P75 $61,960 $5,163 $29.79
Senior / Expert P90 $68,260 $5,688 $32.82
Key Insight

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in South Carolina has a moderate salary progression with a 75% growth from entry-level ($39,090) to senior ($68,260). 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 ($49,490) and P90 ($68,260) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How South Carolina Compares to Other States

Where does South Carolina rank for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic senior-level salaries? Compare South Carolina's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$91,160
Entry: $56K
+62%
2
$80,440
Entry: $43K
+86%
3
$80,300
Entry: $50K
+59%
4
$79,690
Entry: $43K
+83%
5
$79,410
Entry: $40K
+99%
6
$77,440
Entry: $36K
+111%
7
$75,120
Entry: $38K
+94%
8
$75,110
Entry: $36K
+108%
9
$74,970
Entry: $41K
+80%
10
$74,440
Entry: $46K
+61%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

Entry-level Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics (10th percentile) earn approximately $39,090 per year, or $3,257 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $44,820. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?

Senior Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics (90th percentile) earn approximately $68,260 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $61,960. This represents a career premium of 75% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

The career salary growth potential for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics is 75%. Entry-level professionals start at $39,090, while senior-level can earn up to $68,260 — a difference of $29,170 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics?

The highest-paying state for senior Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics is South Carolina, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $68,260 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salaries determined?

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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Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Career Progression in Other States

See how Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay grows from entry-level to senior across the top-paying states.

All Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic & South Carolina Resources

Drill deeper into Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay, hiring, and education data for South Carolina.

About This Data

Salary percentile data for South Carolina 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 South Carolina.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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