In Charleston-North Charleston, SC, Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals earn an average annual salary of $49,880. This figure slightly surpasses the national average of $48,590, suggesting a localized premium for these skilled roles. This pay differential can often be attributed to the specific industrial demands and economic landscape of the Charleston-North Charleston metropolitan area.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $49,880 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 9.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $67,690.
- Outlook: The Charleston-North Charleston area supports a local workforce of 240 individuals in this specialized field. With a Location Quotient of 0.72, the concentration of these jobs is slightly below the national average, indicating a stable but not overly saturated market. The presence of 0.608 jobs per 1,000 workers suggests consistent demand for skilled machine tool operators within the region's manufacturing and industrial sectors.
Salary Overview
The average Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Charleston-North Charleston, SC earns+2.7%above the national average.
$24
$959
$4,157
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries for Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Charleston-North Charleston have experienced growth over the past four years, mirroring national trends. Economic expansion, increased automation, and a persistent need for skilled manufacturing labor typically drive upward salary adjustments in this sector.
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary Distribution in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Career progression for Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders typically involves a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while senior operators with specialized skills and extensive experience can command salaries well above the average. The percentile gaps in salary distribution highlight the substantial earning potential as one advances through different levels of expertise and responsibility.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT. | 10% (Entry) | $36,710 | $17.6 |
| JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks. | 25% (Junior) | $37,410 | $18 |
| Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting. | 50% (Median) | $42,540 | $20.5 |
| Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance. | 75% (Senior) | $62,350 | $30 |
| SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman. | 90% (Expert) | $67,690 | $32.5 |
Detailed Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$49,880
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$49,880
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $49,880 in Charleston-North Charleston aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of the local salary is equivalent to the national average, making relocation financially neutral from a cost-of-living perspective. Your earnings will go as far in Charleston-North Charleston as they would in a typical U.S. city.
Job Market Context
240
Total Jobs
0.608
Per 1K Jobs
0.72
Location Quotient
Charleston-North Charleston, SC has 0.72x the national average concentration of Multiple Machine Tool 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 0.72 indicates that Charleston-North Charleston has a slightly lower concentration of Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender roles compared to the national average. This suggests that while the jobs exist and are in demand, the market is not exceptionally crowded, potentially offering good opportunities for skilled professionals without intense competition from a vast pool of local candidates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median annual salary for a Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $49,880. This typically ranges from $36,710 for entry-level positions to $67,690 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is 2.7% higher than the national median of $48,590.
Is Charleston-North Charleston, SC a lucrative place for Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics?
Yes, with a slight edge over the national average.The average salary of $49,880 is higher than the national average, and the cost of living is on par, offering good earning potential.
Is Charleston-North Charleston, SC a good place to live for Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics?
The Cost of Living Index in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Some top paying nearby cities include Sumter, SC ($41,120) and Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area.
How does the Charleston-North Charleston salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $49,880, which is slightly higher than the national average of $48,590.
What is the cost of living in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The cost of living in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is exactly at the national average, with a Cost of Living Index of 100.
How concentrated are Machine Tool Setter jobs in Charleston-North Charleston?
The concentration of these jobs, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.72, which is below the national average, indicating a moderately present job market.
What is the total number of Machine Tool Setters in Charleston-North Charleston?
There are approximately 240 Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 240 employees in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC area with a job density of 0.608 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC