SOC 51-4034 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Northwestern Pennsylvania
Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA comes to $59,650 a year, ahead of the national median of $50,620 by 17.8%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA comes to $59,650 a year, ahead of the national median of $50,620 by 17.8%. Pay ranges from under $43,700 at the tenth percentile to more than $64,370 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $48,040 to $59,940.
Employment stands at 70, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Pittsburgh records the highest median at $66,500. Of the 373 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 130th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,700 | −13.7% |
| 25th | $48,040 | −5.1% |
| Median (50th) | $59,650 | +17.8% |
| 75th | $59,940 | +18.4% |
| 90th | $64,370 | +27.2% |
| Mean | $55,780 | +10.2% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh | $66,500 | 220 | |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $49,940 | 110 | |
| 3 | Erie | $43,140 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwestern Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $59,650 goes as far as $61,117 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,650as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$61,117US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,650 a year, 17.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $43,700 to $64,370 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Pittsburgh, at $66,500.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA?
The median annual wage is $59,650, or $28.68 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 $50,620, so pay in Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA is 17.8% 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 Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA earns more than $64,370 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $43,700 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 Pittsburgh, at $66,500 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 jobs in this occupation in Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA. 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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