51 Series · SOC 51-6091

Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers Salary

National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).

$46,350
Median / year
$63,910
Top 10% earn
-1.1%
Growth '23–'33
12,850
US workers

Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers earn a median of $46,350 per year.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $46,350, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $35,890 (10th percentile) to $63,910 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 12,850 US workers. Ohio pays the most ($61,440), since pay varies by state and metro area.

51 Series · Source: BLS OEWS Compare with another job →
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The pay verdict

Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers earn a median of $46,350, putting them among the lower-paid US occupations and higher than 23% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Production, it ranks #59 of 105 by median pay. Employment is projected to fall 1.1% by 2033.

$46,350
Median annual wage
Top 77%
of 825 US occupations with published wages
#59 of 105
in Production
1.8×
90th-to-10th pay spread

Highest-paying state: Ohio at $61,440. Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers (SOC 51-6091) pays a national median of $46,350 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $35,890 at the 10th percentile to $63,910 at the 90th, with a mean of $48,580 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 12,850 Americans work in this occupation across 24 reporting states and 33 metro areas.

BLS Employment Projections forecast a -1.1% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as declining relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 2,000 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is High school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of B for this role, with a fatality rate of 3.5 per 100,000 and injury rate of 3.2 per 100.

Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Ohio pays the highest state median at $61,440, which is +33% above the national figure. The top metro is Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA at $71,610 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.

BLS OEWS May 2025 12,850 jobs Median $46,350/yr

Median Salary

$46,350

per year

Median Hourly

$22.29/hr

per hour

Mean Salary

$48,580

average

Employment

12,850

jobs nationwide

How does this pay compare nationally?

Where Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers pay sits nationally

Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median

$46,350 Bottom 23% higher than 23% of 825 US occupations

$0–$20,000: 0 US occupations (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 98 US occupations (12%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 298 US occupations (36%). This entry sits in this band. $60,000–$80,000: 209 US occupations (25%). Above this entry. $80,000–$100,000: 82 US occupations (10%). Above this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 58 US occupations (7%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 32 US occupations (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 14 US occupations (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 9 US occupations (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 25 US occupations (3%). Above this entry. This job $0 $200,000 every BLS occupation, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025

Does this job pay well and grow?

Each dot is a 51-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).

Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers sits on the slower-growing side at -1.1% growth and $46,350 median pay.

Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers sits on the slower-growing side at -1.1% growth and $46,350 median pay. Scatter plot of 23 data points. $30000$40000$50000$60000$70000$80000 -15%-10%-5%0%5%10% Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) Median annual wage
Among 23 51-series occupations with growth data, Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers sits on the slower-growing side at -1.1% growth and $46,350 median pay.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Projected Growth

-1.1%

Declining

Annual Openings

2,000

per year (projected)

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

On-the-Job Training

Moderate-term on-the-job training

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034

Workplace Safety

All safety ratings →
B

Safe

Safety Grade (BLS 2023)

Fatality Rate

3.5/100K

Injury Rate

3.2/100

Danger Index

14.6/100

Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023

Career Intelligence

Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.

Top Skills

Operations Monitoring 4.0
Operation and Control 3.8
Monitoring 3.5
Active Listening 3.0
Speaking 3.0
Coordination 3.0
Complex Problem Solving 3.0
Quality Control Analysis 3.0
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0
Time Management 3.0

Knowledge Areas

Production and Processing 3.7
English Language 3.2
Mathematics 3.1
Education and Training 3.1
Mechanical 3.1
Customer and Personal Service 2.8
Administration and Management 2.8
Public Safety and Security 2.7
Computers and Electronics 2.6
Engineering and Technology 2.4

Key Tasks

  • ▸ Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form filaments from synthetic materials such as rayon, fiberglass, or liquid polymers.
  • ▸ Press buttons to stop machines when processes are complete or when malfunctions are detected.
  • ▸ Notify other workers of defects, and direct them to adjust extruding and forming machines.
  • ▸ Observe flow of finish across finish rollers, and turn valves to adjust flow to specifications.
  • ▸ Observe machine operations, control boards, and gauges to detect malfunctions such as clogged bushings and defective binder applicators.
  • ▸ Remove polymer deposits from spinnerettes and equipment, using silicone spray, brass chisels, and bronze-wool pads.
  • ▸ Load materials into extruding and forming machines, using hand tools, and adjust feed mechanisms to set feed rates.
  • ▸ Press metering-pump buttons and turn valves to stop flow of polymers.
  • ▸ Record operational data on tags, and attach tags to machines.
  • ▸ Move controls to activate and adjust extruding and forming machines.

Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.

Salary Range

Annual Salary Distribution

$35,890$39,360$46,350$57,280$63,910
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

Hourly Rate Distribution

$17.26$18.92$22.29$27.54$30.73
10th pct25thMedian75th90th pct

10th Percentile

$35,890

25th Percentile

$39,360

Median

$46,350

75th Percentile

$57,280

90th Percentile

$63,910

Salary by State

Highest Paying States

1. Ohio $61,440 2. Alabama $60,100 3. Indiana $57,200 4. Pennsylvania $55,960 5. Minnesota $52,600

Lowest Paying States

20. Kentucky $33,330 21. Nebraska $37,630 22. Utah $38,570 23. North Carolina $40,090 24. Virginia $40,770
View all 24 states →
# State Median Salary vs National
1 Ohio $61,440 +33% above national
2 Alabama $60,100 +30% above national
3 Indiana $57,200 +23% above national
4 Pennsylvania $55,960 +21% above national
5 Minnesota $52,600 +13% above national
6 Maryland $50,790 +10% above national
7 Kansas $50,320 +9% above national
8 Michigan $49,180 +6% above national
9 Missouri $48,810 +5% above national
10 Iowa $48,400 +4% above national
11 Arkansas $47,770 +3% above national
12 Texas $46,970 +1% above national
13 Tennessee $46,200 same as national
14 Georgia $45,360 2% below national
15 California $45,290 2% below national
16 New York $44,120 5% below national
17 Florida $43,520 6% below national
18 South Carolina $43,380 6% below national
19 Wisconsin $41,980 9% below national
20 Virginia $40,770 12% below national
21 North Carolina $40,090 14% below national
22 Utah $38,570 17% below national
23 Nebraska $37,630 19% below national
24 Kentucky $33,330 28% below national

Salary by Metro Area

Highest Paying Metros

1. Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $71,610 2. Mobile, AL $63,900 3. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $63,760 4. Columbus, OH $61,440 5. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $61,040

Lowest Paying Metros

29. Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $35,270 30. Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC $35,890 31. Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $35,950 32. Rome, GA $36,200 33. Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $39,130
View all 33 metro areas →
# Metro Area Median Salary vs National
1 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $71,610 +54% above national
2 Mobile, AL $63,900 +38% above national
3 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $63,760 +38% above national
4 Columbus, OH $61,440 +33% above national
5 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $61,040 +32% above national
6 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $59,330 +28% above national
7 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $58,980 +27% above national
8 Athens-Clarke County, GA $53,970 +16% above national
9 Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area $51,610 +11% above national
10 Cleveland, OH $51,490 +11% above national
11 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $50,790 +10% above national
12 Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area $49,770 +7% above national
13 Chattanooga, TN-GA $48,900 +6% above national
14 Kansas nonmetropolitan area $48,310 +4% above national
15 Spartanburg, SC $48,100 +4% above national
16 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $47,930 +3% above national
17 Columbia, SC $46,160 same as national
18 Dalton, GA $45,610 2% below national
19 Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area $44,830 3% below national
20 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $44,350 4% below national
21 Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $42,380 9% below national
22 South Georgia nonmetropolitan area $41,980 9% below national
23 North Georgia nonmetropolitan area $41,590 10% below national
24 Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $41,490 10% below national
25 Winston-Salem, NC $40,580 12% below national
26 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $40,310 13% below national
27 Greensboro-High Point, NC $40,000 14% below national
28 Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area $39,300 15% below national
29 Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $39,130 16% below national
30 Rome, GA $36,200 22% below national
31 Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $35,950 22% below national
32 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC $35,890 23% below national
33 Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $35,270 24% below national

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Compare Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers side-by-side with another occupation →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers make? ▼
The median annual salary for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers is $46,350 ($22.29/hour). The salary range spans from $35,890 at the 10th percentile to $63,910 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers the most? ▼
Ohio pays the highest median salary for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers at $61,440/year, which is +33% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers is High school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
How dangerous is being a Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers? ▼
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers has a safety grade of B (Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 3.5 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 3.2 per 100 workers.
Is Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers a good career? ▼
Employment for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers is projected to decline 1.1% from 2024 to 2034, which is declining. About 2,000 openings are projected each year.
How does Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers pay vary by state? ▼
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Ohio at $61,440/year, while Virginia pays the least at $40,770/year. BLS data covers 24 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers is Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA at $71,610/year. BLS reports wage data for 33 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.

What to do with this data

How to use Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers pay figures in a real decision

  • For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $57,280/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
  • Location moves pay significantly: Ohio leads at $61,440/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
  • Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs

These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.

Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 annual release. Employment projections from BLS Employment Projections program, 2024–2034. Data reflects cross-industry estimates for all ownership types.

These are survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. See how to use them.

Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.