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Average Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

In the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metropolitan area, Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals earn an average annual salary of $56,960. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $47,060, indicating a premium for these roles within this specific region. The higher local compensation is likely driven by a combination of factors unique to the Seattle area's economic landscape and demand for skilled manufacturing labor.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $56,960 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 16.6% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $74,320.
  • Outlook: The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area supports a local workforce of 1,260 individuals in this specialized field. With a Location Quotient of 0.54, the concentration of these jobs is below the national average, suggesting that while the absolute number of positions is substantial, the industry is not disproportionately dominant compared to other sectors in the region. However, the presence of over a thousand workers indicates a stable, established market for these roles.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$56,960

The average Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA earns+21.0%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$27.4

Weekly

$1,095

Monthly

$4,747

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary Distribution in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Salary progression for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive knowledge of machine operation, maintenance, and safety protocols can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings reflect this career trajectory, rewarding accumulated expertise and responsibility.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT.10% (Entry)$41,990$20.2
JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks.25% (Junior)$42,720$20.5
Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting.50% (Median)$54,170$26
Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance.75% (Senior)$71,200$34.2
SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman.90% (Expert)$74,320$35.7

Detailed Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$56,960

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$56,960

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $56,960 in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is higher than the national average, the purchasing power of this income is comparable to the national standard, as the cost of goods and services in the Seattle area is not elevated relative to the rest of the country according to this index.

Job Market Context

1,260

Total Jobs

0.607

Per 1K Jobs

0.54

Location Quotient

Below Average

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA has 0.54x the national average concentration of Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.54 suggests that the job market for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is less concentrated than the national average. This implies that while there are opportunities, the demand might not be as intense or specialized as in regions with a higher LQ, potentially leading to a more balanced or slightly employer-favored market.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Comparing salaries near Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Hiring Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

The median annual salary for a Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $56,960. This typically ranges from $41,990 for entry-level positions to $74,320 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is 21.0% higher than the national median of $47,060.

Is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA a lucrative place for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?

Yes, it offers above-average compensation.The average salary of $56,960 is notably higher than the national average of $47,060, indicating a lucrative environment for these professionals in the Seattle area.

Is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA a good place to live for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics?

The Cost of Living Index in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Western Washington nonmetropolitan area ($44,700) and Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA.

How does the Seattle salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $56,960, which is $9,900 higher than the national average of $47,060.

What is the concentration of these jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

The Location Quotient is 0.54, meaning the concentration of these jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is about half the national average concentration.

How does the Cost of Living in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA affect the salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the Seattle area's cost of living is average nationally. Therefore, the higher nominal salary of $56,960 translates to average purchasing power.

How many of these jobs are there in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

There are approximately 1,260 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,260 employees in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area with a job density of 0.607 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.