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Forging machine operator: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$49,030median pay per year, or $23.57 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $36,800lowest 10% earn less
  2. $42,44025th percentile
  3. $49,030median
  4. $60,13075th percentile
  5. $68,720top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

The median pay for forging machine setters, operators and tenders was $49,030 a year in May 2025[1]. A high school diploma is the typical entry education, and employment is projected to fall 17.2% from 2025 to 2035[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-17.2%[3]
Openings per year
600[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[2]

How much do forging machine operators make?

The official BLS category is Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. Its median wage was $49,030 a year, or $23.57 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was $51,680 a year, or $24.85 an hour[7]. For all occupations in the US, the median annual wage was $50,980[5].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $36,800 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $68,720[4]. The 25th percentile was $42,440 and the 75th was $60,130[4]. Hourly, the 10th percentile was $17.69 and the 90th was $33.04[8]. A percentile is a boundary line, and BLS publishes percentiles instead of a starting salary[9].

The figures cover about 8,930 wage and salary jobs[10]. They leave out self-employed people, and they leave out nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11].

Pay by state and city

Oregon had the top state median at $69,210 a year, but it had only 30 jobs[12]. Oklahoma followed at $61,720 and Michigan at $61,620[12]. New Jersey had the lowest listed median, $35,630[12].

Tennessee had the most jobs, 1,140[13]. California had 750, Texas 720, Michigan 620 and Virginia 560[13]. Tennessee's median was $43,810[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD had the top median at $63,880[14]. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI followed at $61,980 and Cleveland, OH at $59,670[14]. The metro area with the most jobs was Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, with 510[15].

Show median pay in 32 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Oregon[12]$69,21030
Oklahoma$61,720n/a
Michigan$61,620620
Nebraska$60,460200
Wisconsin$60,31080
California$59,250750
Colorado$57,970140
Ohio$56,870500
New York$56,350260
Missouri$55,21060
Virginia$54,230560
Indiana$53,550450
Massachusetts$51,770310
Kansas$51,120130
Pennsylvania$50,280550
Maryland$49,92030
Illinois$49,750230
South Carolina$49,61080
Arizona$48,73030
Iowa$47,010n/a
Alabama$46,97070
Georgia$46,490380
Connecticut$45,120110
Nevada$45,04040
Tennessee$43,8101,140
Florida$40,48080
Mississippi$39,55070
Arkansas$38,120140
Texas$37,390720
West Virginia$37,390n/a
Kentucky$36,110n/a
New Jersey$35,630n/a

How to become a forging machine operator

This detail comes from a profile covering a wider group, metal and plastic machine workers[19]. For that group, training time depends on how complex the equipment is. Some operators learn basic functions in a few months, while CNC tool operators may need up to 1 year[20]. Courses in computer programming, math and vocational technology taken in high school may help[21].

With skill and experience, workers may advance. Machine operators commonly move into setup or maintenance positions[22]. Workers who gain experience and have good communication and analytical skills may move up to supervisor jobs[23].

What forging machine operators do

O*NET describes the job as setting up, running or tending forging machines that taper, shape or form metal or plastic parts[24]. Typical tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as Blacksmith, Forge Operator, Forge Press Operator and Hammer Operator[26].

Where they work

The profile for the wider group says these workers often run powerful, high-speed machines that can be dangerous, so they follow safety rules and usually wear protection, for example glasses, earplugs and steel-toed boots[27]. Required gear varies by work setting and machine[28]. The work calls for standing for long periods and repetitive tasks[29].

Full-time work is typical for the wider group, and some people work more than 40 hours a week[30]. Evening and weekend work is also common because many manufacturers run machines for long stretches[30]. Fabricated metal product manufacturing was the largest employer of the wider group, at 25% in 2025[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to decline 17.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 8,900 to 7,400 jobs[3]. These counts include self-employed workers[3]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[32].

BLS names automation as a factor. Manufacturers continue to use automated, CNC and programmable machines for tasks once done by these workers[33].

Even so, about 600 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings come from retirements and moves to other occupations as well as from new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.4% of workers leave the labor force and 5.3% move to a different occupation[34].

Is it a good fit?

Entry is open to people with a high school diploma, and training happens on the job[2]. Median pay of $49,030 sits close to the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][5]. The outlook is the main thing to weigh. A projected 17.2% decline means fewer jobs, though openings from retirements and job changes continue at about 600 a year[3][6]. Computer skills and comfort with machines are listed as useful qualities for the wider group[35][36].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a forging machine operator make an hour?
The median was $23.57 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $24.85[1][7].
What education do you need to be a forging machine operator?
A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry education, with moderate-term on-the-job training[2].
Is the job in demand?
Employment is projected to decline 17.2% from 2025 to 2035, though about 600 openings a year are projected[3][6].
What is the highest paying state for forging machine operators?
Oregon, with a median of $69,210 a year, based on only 30 jobs[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the US was $49,030 per year and $23.57 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is projected to decline 17.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 8,900 to 7,400 jobs (a change of -1,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: 10th percentile $36,800, 25th percentile $42,440, 75th percentile $60,130, 90th percentile $68,720. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 600 openings for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic was $51,680 per year and $24.85 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: 10th percentile $17.69, 25th percentile $20.40, 75th percentile $28.91, 90th percentile $33.04. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 8,930 people were employed as Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic jobs: Tennessee 1,140; California 750; Texas 720; Michigan 620; Virginia 560. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (areas with at least 100 jobs): Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $63,880; Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $61,980; Cleveland, OH $59,670; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $59,320; Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $57,740; Columbus, IN $52,060; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $49,700; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $44,900. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 510 (median $59,320); Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 380 (median $61,980); Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN 240 (median $44,460); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 230 (median $36,730); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 200 (median $38,580); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 190 (median $63,880). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Metal and Plastic Machine Workers" covers Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET description of Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET 51-4022.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Blacksmith, Forge Operator, Forge Press Operator, Forger, Hammer Operator, Header Operator, Hot Press Forger, Machine Operator. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of metal and plastic machine workers in 2025: Fabricated metal product manufacturing 25%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: Productivity change, occupational substitution - share decreases as manufacturers continue to use and integrate automated, CNC, and programmable machines to complete tasks previously done by these workers. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: 3.4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.