SOC 51-9041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — Blacksburg
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA · 3 metro areas compared
At $42,970, median pay for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Blacksburg, VA tracks the national median of $45,760 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $42,970, median pay for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Blacksburg, VA tracks the national median of $45,760 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $36,830 and $63,180. The lowest tenth earn under $33,470, while the highest tenth earn more than $75,350.
Employment stands at 50, or 0.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Virginia Beach leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $45,690. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 180th of 257 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,470 | −26.9% |
| 25th | $36,830 | −19.5% |
| Median (50th) | $42,970 | −6.1% |
| 75th | $63,180 | +38.1% |
| 90th | $75,350 | +64.7% |
| Mean | $50,380 | +10.1% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Beach | $45,690 | 70 | |
| 2 | Winchester | $45,630 | 50 | |
| 3 | Richmond | $43,800 | 290 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Blacksburg sit close to the national average, so $42,970 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$42,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,502US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $42,970 a year, 6.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $33,470 to $75,350 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Virginia Beach, at $45,690.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Blacksburg, VA?
The median annual wage is $42,970, or $20.66 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 Blacksburg, VA is 6.1% 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 Blacksburg, VA earns more than $75,350 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $33,470 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 Virginia Beach, at $45,690 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 50 jobs in this occupation in Blacksburg, VA. 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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