SOC 51-4031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Middle Georgia
Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Middle Georgia, GA is $50,000 per year, close to the national median of $46,330 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Middle Georgia, GA is $50,000 per year, close to the national median of $46,330 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $39,090 and $63,810. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $34,180 and the ninetieth at $78,020.
The area has 290 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.1 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Rome records the highest median at $63,740. Of the 352 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 155th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,180 | −26.2% |
| 25th | $39,090 | −15.6% |
| Median (50th) | $50,000 | +7.9% |
| 75th | $63,810 | +37.7% |
| 90th | $78,020 | +68.4% |
| Mean | $53,050 | +14.5% |
Other metro areas in Georgia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rome | $63,740 | 200 | |
| 2 | Gainesville | $47,470 | 190 | |
| 3 | Atlanta | $46,310 | 2,840 | |
| 4 | Athens | $40,840 | 50 | |
| 5 | Dalton | $40,730 | 110 | |
| 6 | Augusta | $40,610 | 110 | |
| 7 | Macon | $39,370 | 100 | |
| 8 | Savannah | $38,840 | 100 | |
| 9 | Columbus | $35,390 | 50 | |
| 10 | Valdosta | $33,820 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Middle Georgia run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $50,000 goes as far as $51,921 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$50,000as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$51,921US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $50,000 a year, 7.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,180 to $78,020 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 290 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Rome, at $63,740.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Middle Georgia, GA?
The median annual wage is $50,000, or $24.04 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $46,330, so pay in Middle Georgia, GA is 7.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Middle Georgia, GA earns more than $78,020 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,180 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Rome, at $63,740 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 290 jobs in this occupation in Middle Georgia, GA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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