Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers in the U.S. is $46,350 ($22.29 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $46,350
- Mean annual wage
- $48,580
- Median hourly wage
- $22.29
- Employment
- 12,850
12,850 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,890 | $17.26 |
| 25th percentile | $39,360 | $18.92 |
| Median (50th) | $46,350 | $22.29 |
| 75th percentile | $57,280 | $27.54 |
| 90th percentile | $63,910 | $30.73 |
Highest-paying states for extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $61,440 | 380 |
| Alabama | $60,100 | 930 |
| Indiana | $57,200 | 390 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,960 | 490 |
| Minnesota | $52,600 | 410 |
| Maryland | $50,790 | — |
| Kansas | $50,320 | 320 |
| Michigan | $49,180 | 180 |
| Missouri | $48,810 | 70 |
| Iowa | $48,400 | 100 |
Lowest-paying states
- Kentucky: $33,330 median annual wage
- Nebraska: $37,630 median annual wage
- Utah: $38,570 median annual wage
- North Carolina: $40,090 median annual wage
- Virginia: $40,770 median annual wage
About this occupation
Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials, such as liquid polymer, rayon, and fiberglass.
Typical tasks
- Observe machine operations, control boards, and gauges to detect malfunctions such as clogged bushings and defective binder applicators.
- Notify other workers of defects, and direct them to adjust extruding and forming machines.
- Move controls to activate and adjust extruding and forming machines.
- Clean and maintain extruding and forming machines, using hand tools.
- Start metering pumps and observe operation of machines and equipment to ensure continuous flow of filaments extruded through spinnerettes and to detect processing defects.
- Press buttons to stop machines when processes are complete or when malfunctions are detected.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 19.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 37.0% |
| Some college, no degree | 14.2% |
| Associate's degree | 8.3% |
| Bachelor's degree | 19.6% |
| Master's degree | 1.0% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 0.2% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$44,650
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$74,450
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$48,570
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$53,750
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$43,220
- Machinists$58,750
- Production Workers, All Other$40,110
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$45,850
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.