SOC 51-9041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — Alabama
Alabama · 4 metro areas compared
In Alabama the median wage is $38,650.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Alabama the median wage is $38,650. That is 15.5% lower than the national median of $45,760. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $36,550 and $45,220. The lowest tenth earn under $29,170, while the highest tenth earn more than $48,940.
Employment stands at 1,510, or 0.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 45 states with published data for this occupation, Alabama ranks 41st by median wage. Birmingham leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $45,140. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 522nd of 690 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,170 | −36.3% |
| 25th | $36,550 | −20.1% |
| Median (50th) | $38,650 | −15.5% |
| 75th | $45,220 | −1.2% |
| 90th | $48,940 | +6.9% |
| Mean | $39,900 | −12.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | $45,140 | 260 | |
| 2 | Decatur | $43,150 | 70 | |
| 3 | Tuscaloosa | $38,370 | 100 | |
| 4 | Auburn | $36,800 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $38,650 goes as far as $43,525 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,650as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$43,525US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,650 a year, 15.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,170 to $48,940 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,510 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 41st of 45 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Birmingham, at $45,140.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Alabama?
The median annual wage is $38,650, or $18.58 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 $45,760, so pay in Alabama is 15.5% 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 Alabama earns more than $48,940 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,170 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 Birmingham, at $45,140 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,510 jobs in this occupation in Alabama. 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