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Occupation · SOC 51-4035

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

There are 12,460 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $52,800 a year. The most jobs are in Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
12,460
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$52,800
Median pay a year
Middle half: $45,210–$64,900
1,000
Annual openings
10-year change: −13.2%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 43 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $54,090 · LCA filings 0660$54,0900
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $63,360 · LCA filings 0470$63,3600
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $56,970 · LCA filings 0230$56,9700
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $59,050 · LCA filings 0230$59,0500
Elkhart–Goshen, INMedian pay $59,040 · LCA filings 0190$59,0400
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $51,900 · LCA filings 0190$51,9000
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $58,360 · LCA filings 0180$58,3600
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MIMedian pay $47,510 · LCA filings 0150$47,5100
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $56,870 · LCA filings 0140$56,8700
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CAMedian pay $47,710 · LCA filings 0140$47,7100

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 110 · LCA filings 0$105,4301100
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$66,440900
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployment 470 · LCA filings 0$63,3604700
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIEmployment 110 · LCA filings 0$62,5301100
Baltimore–Columbia–Towson, MDEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$62,220400

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $51,230 · Level III $59,342 · Level IV $67,434$43,139$51,230$59,342$67,434
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $52,333 · Level III $59,030 · Level IV $65,749$45,614$52,333$59,030$65,749
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $50,274 · Level III $56,888 · Level IV $63,523$43,638$50,274$56,888$63,523
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $53,685 · Level III $60,590 · Level IV $67,496$46,779$53,685$60,590$67,496
Elkhart–Goshen, INLevel II $53,248 · Level III $58,386 · Level IV $63,502$48,131$53,248$58,386$63,502
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $50,294 · Level III $55,619 · Level IV $60,944$44,970$50,294$55,619$60,944
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $56,971 · Level III $63,669 · Level IV $70,387$50,253$56,971$63,669$70,387
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MILevel II $44,470 · Level III $48,110 · Level IV $51,750$40,830$44,470$48,110$51,750
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $50,690 · Level III $56,992 · Level IV $63,315$44,366$50,690$56,992$63,315
Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, CALevel II $48,672 · Level III $53,872 · Level IV $59,093$43,451$48,672$53,872$59,093

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.05OPT · up to 12 months261OPT · up to 12 months

See Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in every metro area

All 43 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology