SOC 51-7042 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing — Southwest Colorado
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
In Southwest Colorado, CO the median wage is $34,650.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Southwest Colorado, CO the median wage is $34,650. That is 20.1% lower than the national median of $43,380. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $31,130 and $41,580. The lowest tenth earn under $31,130, while the highest tenth earn more than $57,190.
The area has 70 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.52 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Boulder leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $49,860. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 344th of 348 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,130 | −28.2% |
| 25th | $31,130 | −28.2% |
| Median (50th) | $34,650 | −20.1% |
| 75th | $41,580 | −4.1% |
| 90th | $57,190 | +31.8% |
| Mean | $38,310 | −11.7% |
Other metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $49,860 | 70 | |
| 2 | Colorado Springs | $49,140 | 30 | |
| 3 | Denver | $45,650 | 190 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Colorado run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $34,650 buys what $33,608 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 22.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$34,650as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$33,608US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,650 a year, 20.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,130 to $57,190 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boulder, at $49,860.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in Southwest Colorado, CO?
The median annual wage is $34,650, or $16.66 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 $43,380, so pay in Southwest Colorado, CO is 20.1% 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 Southwest Colorado, CO earns more than $57,190 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,130 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 Boulder, at $49,860 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Colorado, CO. 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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