SOC 51-4193 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — Reading
Reading, PA · 7 metro areas compared
In Reading, PA the median wage for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic reaches $55,230 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Reading, PA the median wage for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic reaches $55,230 a year. That is 25.6% more than the national median of $43,960. Pay ranges from under $37,400 at the tenth percentile to more than $55,600 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $45,460 to $55,230.
Employment stands at 100, or 0.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Lancaster records the highest median at $50,080. Of the 398 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 204th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,400 | −14.9% |
| 25th | $45,460 | +3.4% |
| Median (50th) | $55,230 | +25.6% |
| 75th | $55,230 | +25.6% |
| 90th | $55,600 | +26.5% |
| Mean | $51,710 | +17.6% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lancaster | $50,080 | 80 | |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $48,690 | 340 | |
| 3 | Allentown | $48,610 | 100 | |
| 4 | Pittsburgh | $44,590 | 460 | |
| 5 | Scranton | $43,020 | 70 | |
| 6 | York | $42,290 | 130 | |
| 7 | Erie | $36,870 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Reading run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $55,230 goes as far as $56,588 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 28.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$55,230as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$56,588US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $55,230 a year, 25.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,400 to $55,600 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 100 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lancaster, at $50,080.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Reading, PA?
The median annual wage is $55,230, or $26.55 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 $43,960, so pay in Reading, PA is 25.6% 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 Reading, PA earns more than $55,600 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,400 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 Lancaster, at $50,080 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 100 jobs in this occupation in Reading, 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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