SOC 51-4191 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Richmond
Richmond, VA · 1 metro areas compared
At $52,340, median pay for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Richmond, VA tracks the national median of $48,750 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $52,340, median pay for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Richmond, VA tracks the national median of $48,750 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $46,450 and $56,490. The lowest tenth earn under $41,000, while the highest tenth earn more than $65,230.
The area has 60 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.94 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Virginia Beach leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $50,920. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 364th of 593 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,000 | −15.9% |
| 25th | $46,450 | −4.7% |
| Median (50th) | $52,340 | +7.4% |
| 75th | $56,490 | +15.9% |
| 90th | $65,230 | +33.8% |
| Mean | $52,640 | +8.0% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Beach | $50,920 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Richmond sit close to the national average, so $52,340 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$52,340as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$51,771US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $52,340 a year, 7.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $41,000 to $65,230 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Virginia Beach, at $50,920.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Richmond, VA?
The median annual wage is $52,340, or $25.16 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 $48,750, so pay in Richmond, VA is 7.4% higher. 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 Richmond, VA earns more than $65,230 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $41,000 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 $50,920 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in Richmond, 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.
Explore related data