SOC 51-4022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Dallas
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX · 1 metro areas compared
In Dallas, TX the median wage is $44,900.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Dallas, TX the median wage is $44,900. That is 8.4% lower than the national median of $49,030. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $37,390 and $46,490. The lowest tenth earn under $37,380, while the highest tenth earn more than $65,280.
Employment stands at 180, or 0.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Houston leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $36,730. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 540th of 713 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,380 | −23.8% |
| 25th | $37,390 | −23.7% |
| Median (50th) | $44,900 | −8.4% |
| 75th | $46,490 | −5.2% |
| 90th | $65,280 | +33.1% |
| Mean | $44,690 | −8.9% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston | $36,730 | 230 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Dallas run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $44,900 goes as far as $46,241 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,241US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,900 a year, 8.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,380 to $65,280 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 180 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Houston, at $36,730.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Dallas, TX?
The median annual wage is $44,900, or $21.59 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 $49,030, so pay in Dallas, TX is 8.4% 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 Dallas, TX earns more than $65,280 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,380 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 Houston, at $36,730 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 180 jobs in this occupation in Dallas, TX. 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