In the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR area, Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn an average annual salary of $42,130. This figure is slightly below the national average of $43,940, a difference often influenced by regional economic factors and the specific industrial landscape of Central Arkansas. The local concentration of these roles plays a significant part in shaping the compensation offered within this sector.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $42,130 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 16.5% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $53,230.
- Outlook: The job market for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR appears moderately robust. With a total local workforce of 490 individuals in this occupation, the presence of 1.377 jobs per 1,000 workers, significantly above the national average (indicated by a Location Quotient of 1.37), suggests a healthy demand and a concentration of these specialized roles within the region.
Salary Overview
The average Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR earns-4.1%below the national average.
$20.3
$810
$3,511
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this niche occupation in Little Rock is not provided, it is generally assumed that salaries for skilled manufacturing roles like Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic have seen steady growth over the past four years. This trend is typically driven by inflation, increased demand for manufactured goods, and the need for specialized skills in the sector.
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary Distribution in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR
Salary progression for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic typically correlates with experience and skill development. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized certifications can command significantly higher salaries, potentially reaching into the upper percentiles. The observable gaps between entry-level and senior roles highlight clear career advancement opportunities within this field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT. | 10% (Entry) | $33,200 | $16 |
| JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks. | 25% (Junior) | $31,598 | $15.2 |
| Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting. | 50% (Median) | $39,330 | $18.9 |
| Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance. | 75% (Senior) | $52,663 | $25.3 |
| SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman. | 90% (Expert) | $53,230 | $25.6 |
Detailed Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$42,130
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$42,130
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average salary of $42,130 in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of this salary is comparable to the national average, suggesting that the cost of essential goods and services in the area is neither a significant advantage nor a disadvantage when compared to the rest of the country.
Job Market Context
490
Total Jobs
1.377
Per 1K Jobs
1.37
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.37, Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic roles compared to the national norm.
With a Location Quotient of 1.37, the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metropolitan area demonstrates a higher concentration of Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic compared to the national average. This indicates a more specialized and potentially competitive job market for these roles, suggesting that employers in the region rely more heavily on this specific workforce segment.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Comparing salaries near Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR
Hiring Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR?
The median annual salary for a Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR is $42,130. This typically ranges from $33,200 for entry-level positions to $53,230 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR is 4.1% lower than the national median of $43,940.
Is Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR a lucrative place for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Moderately so, with a strong concentration of roles.The average salary is slightly below the national average, but the cost of living is on par, and the concentration of these jobs (LQ 1.37) indicates a robust local demand for these skills.
Is Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR a good place to live for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics?
The Cost of Living Index in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR?
Some top paying nearby cities include South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area ($38,200) and North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area.
How does the Little Rock salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary in Little Rock for this role is $42,130, which is slightly lower than the national average of $43,940.
What is the cost of living in Little Rock compared to the national average?
The cost of living index in Little Rock is 100, which is exactly the national average, meaning it is neither more nor less expensive to live there than the typical US location.
Is there a high demand for these machine operators in Little Rock?
Yes, the Location Quotient of 1.37 suggests a higher concentration of these jobs in Little Rock than the national average, indicating strong local demand.
What does the Location Quotient (LQ) of 1.37 mean for this job title in Little Rock?
An LQ of 1.37 signifies that this occupation is 37% more concentrated in the Little Rock area than it is nationally, pointing to a specialized and potentially competitive job market.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 490 employees in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR area with a job density of 1.377 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR