SOC 51-4022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — West Virginia
West Virginia
Median pay for this occupation in West Virginia is $37,390 a year, trailing the national median of $49,030 by 23.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in West Virginia is $37,390 a year, trailing the national median of $49,030 by 23.7%. Half of workers earn between $34,880 and $46,700. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $33,320 and the ninetieth at $63,200.
Among the 32 states with published data for this occupation, West Virginia ranks 30th by median wage. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 490th of 618 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,320 | −32.0% |
| 25th | $34,880 | −28.9% |
| Median (50th) | $37,390 | −23.7% |
| 75th | $46,700 | −4.8% |
| 90th | $63,200 | +28.9% |
| Mean | $42,910 | −12.5% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Virginia run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $37,390 goes as far as $41,777 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,777US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,390 a year, 23.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $33,320 to $63,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- It ranks 30th of 32 states for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in West Virginia?
The median annual wage is $37,390, or $17.97 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 West Virginia is 23.7% 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 West Virginia earns more than $63,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $33,320 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.
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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