SOC 51-4031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — North Carolina
North Carolina · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $43,400 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $46,330.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $43,400 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $46,330. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $37,390 and $50,090. The lowest tenth earn under $35,180, while the highest tenth earn more than $62,120.
The area has 3,940 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.72 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. North Carolina ranks number 40th out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Winston-Salem records the highest median at $48,520. Of the 745 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 575th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,180 | −24.1% |
| 25th | $37,390 | −19.3% |
| Median (50th) | $43,400 | −6.3% |
| 75th | $50,090 | +8.1% |
| 90th | $62,120 | +34.1% |
| Mean | $45,980 | −0.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winston-Salem | $48,520 | 390 | |
| 2 | Asheville | $47,230 | 80 | |
| 3 | Durham | $45,930 | 120 | |
| 4 | Charlotte | $45,760 | 1,440 | |
| 5 | Wilmington | $42,890 | 40 | |
| 6 | Burlington | $42,480 | 70 | |
| 7 | Hickory | $41,240 | 180 | |
| 8 | Raleigh | $40,620 | 270 | |
| 9 | Greensboro | $39,150 | 400 | |
| 10 | Goldsboro | $37,390 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $43,400 goes as far as $46,023 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$43,400as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,023US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $43,400 a year, 6.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,180 to $62,120 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,940 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 40th of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Winston-Salem, at $48,520.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in North Carolina?
The median annual wage is $43,400, or $20.86 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 North Carolina is 6.3% lower. 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 North Carolina earns more than $62,120 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,180 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 Winston-Salem, at $48,520 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,940 jobs in this occupation in North Carolina. 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.
Explore related data