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Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$60,180
Median Annual Salary
▲
+26.3% vs 2024
$59,980
Mean Salary
$60,180
Median Salary
$28.93
Hourly Rate
2,600 people work as Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California earn a median salary of $60,180 per year ($5,015/month).
This is 16.6% above the national average of $51,604.
California ranks #5 out of 36 states for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay.
Approximately 2,600 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 26.3% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
Top Skills
Operations Monitoring
3.5
Operation and Control
3.38
Monitoring
3.12
Quality Control Analysis
3.12
Reading Comprehension
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Mathematics
3.73
Mechanical
3.37
English Language
3.25
Education and Training
2.95
Production and Processing
2.93
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(68.3% of workers)
Salary Range: Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California
Salaries for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California range from $43,480 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $79,690 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $48,130 and $68,740.
Median $60,180
P10: $43,480P25: $48,130P75: $68,740P90: $79,690
10th
$43,480
25th
$48,130
Median
$60,180
75th
$68,740
90th
$79,690
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$43,480
$20.90
$3,623
25th Percentile
$48,130
$23.14
$4,010
Median (50th)
$60,180
$28.93
$5,015
75th Percentile
$68,740
$33.05
$5,728
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$79,690
$38.31
$6,640
Note: The mean (average) salary of $59,980 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#5
California ranks #5 of 36 states
$51,604
National avg. for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
How much do Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in California?
The median annual salary for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California is $60,180 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $59,980.
What is the salary range for a Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California?
Salaries for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California range from $43,480 at the 10th percentile to $79,690 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $48,130 and $68,740.
What is the starting salary for a Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California?
Entry-level Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic positions in California typically start around $43,480 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $48,130 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 2,600 people are employed as Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in California is approximately $28.93 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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