Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metro

The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton pay distribution spans from $35,890 at the 10th percentile to $47,000 at the 90th, a 1.3× observed spread. Differences in specialization, employer, sector, location, credentials, schedule, and experience may all contribute, but OEWS does not isolate their effects. The 25th percentile sits at $35,890 and the 75th at $38,020, so half of Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton-based extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers earn within that middle band.

Metro figures use establishment work location, not worker residence. BLS draws metro boundaries from the OMB MSA definitions, so Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC covers the central city plus outlying counties tied to the metro economically. OEWS includes straight-time pay, tips, commissions, incentive pay, and production bonuses. It excludes employer health and retirement benefits, overtime premiums, stock compensation, signing bonuses, and other nonproduction bonuses. The same occupation's national profile, statewide NC estimate, and peer-metro rows provide distinct geographic comparisons. A published median is a benchmark, not a prediction or ceiling for one worker.