Metal and plastic machine workers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$46,800
~$23/hr · ~$3,900/mo
US Jobs
1.0M
Decline
AI & Automation Risk
4/10
Low Risk
AI & Automation Risk
Low Risk 4/10
The core of the work is physical and requires presence on a factory floor to handle materials and maintain machinery. However, AI and advanced automation are increasingly capable of handling the digital aspects of the job, such as CNC programming, machine monitoring, and quality inspection, which is already contributing to a projected decline in employment.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, ALBEST VALUE | $80,150 | Below avg (84.5) | $94,908 |
| Bloomington, IL | $81,240 | Below avg (92.1) | $88,190 |
| Grand Island, NE | $65,250 | Below avg (87.1) | $74,880 |
| Rome, GA | $67,160 | Below avg (90.4) | $74,303 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $64,680 | Below avg (87.1) | $74,272 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $78,580 | Above avg (107.4) | $73,152 |
| Toledo, OH | $65,840 | Below avg (90.6) | $72,652 |
| Monroe, LA | $59,860 | Below avg (83.6) | $71,565 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $62,160 | Below avg (87.6) | $70,968 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $64,670 | Below avg (91.8) | $70,454 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $64,600 | Below avg (91.9) | $70,328 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $59,700 | Below avg (85.6) | $69,763 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $77,060 | Above avg (111.4) | $69,159 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $63,400 | Below avg (91.7) | $69,128 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $61,340 | Below avg (88.9) | $69,015 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Varies by employer
10-Year Growth
-7% (Decline)
Hourly Rate
~$23/hr
Monthly Income
~$3,900/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)