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Forming machine operator salary
Average forming machine operator salary
$35,252
Average Forming Machine Operator Salary
The current average salary for a Forming Machine Operator in the United States is approximately $35,252 per year, or around $17 per hour. This role is essential in various manufacturing sectors, where operators manage and maintain machines that shape materials into parts or products.
Salary by Experience Level
Experience significantly impacts earning potential. Entry-level operators may earn less, while those with several years in the field can command higher wages. Additionally, specialization in specific types of machinery may further enhance salary prospects.
State Variations
Location also plays a crucial role in salary differences. For instance, states with higher living costs often offer better compensation. Top-paying states for forming machine operators include California, Texas, and New York. Understanding these regional variations can guide job seekers in making informed career decisions.
Job Opportunities
Job seekers can explore various openings through platforms like Zippia, which provides insights into potential employers and industry trends. This information is vital for those looking to maximize their earning potential in the manufacturing sector.
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Where can a Forming Machine Operator earn more?
Forming machine operator salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level forming machine operator | $26,800 | $12.87 |
| Mid-level forming machine operator | $34,200 | $16.43 |
| Senior-level forming machine operator | $41,500 | $19.96 |
Forming machine operator salary estimates from across the web
Average forming machine operator salary by state
The highest-paying states for forming machine operators are Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. The lowest average forming machine operator salary states are Florida, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for forming machine operators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wisconsin | $39,892 | $19.18 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $40,345 | $19.40 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $41,248 | $19.83 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $45,172 | $21.72 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $41,702 | $20.05 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $39,372 | $18.93 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $38,286 | $18.41 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $39,454 | $18.97 |
| 9 | Iowa | $37,593 | $18.07 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| 11 | Delaware | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| 12 | Alaska | $35,950 | $17.28 |
| 13 | Indiana | $34,085 | $16.39 |
| 14 | Maine | $36,847 | $17.71 |
| 15 | Washington | $39,937 | $19.20 |
| 16 | Kansas | $35,381 | $17.01 |
| 17 | Hawaii | $36,944 | $17.76 |
| 18 | Illinois | $36,063 | $17.34 |
| 19 | Oregon | $36,682 | $17.64 |
| 20 | North Carolina | $33,828 | $16.26 |
| 21 | South Dakota | $34,767 | $16.71 |
| 22 | Missouri | $35,062 | $16.86 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $33,532 | $16.12 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $37,663 | $18.11 |
| 25 | California | $41,061 | $19.74 |
| 26 | Michigan | $33,564 | $16.14 |
| 27 | Idaho | $34,995 | $16.82 |
| 28 | Nevada | $34,102 | $16.40 |
| 29 | Ohio | $31,431 | $15.11 |
| 30 | Maryland | $38,745 | $18.63 |
| 31 | New York | $36,991 | $17.78 |
| 32 | Utah | $32,246 | $15.50 |
| 33 | Vermont | $33,796 | $16.25 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $31,391 | $15.09 |
| 35 | Arizona | $33,552 | $16.13 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $28,951 | $13.92 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $29,302 | $14.09 |
| 38 | Texas | $31,788 | $15.28 |
| 39 | Georgia | $29,050 | $13.97 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $29,837 | $14.34 |
| 41 | Montana | $31,253 | $15.03 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $27,999 | $13.46 |
| 43 | Virginia | $29,462 | $14.16 |
| 44 | New Mexico | $30,344 | $14.59 |
| 45 | Colorado | $30,252 | $14.54 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $25,956 | $12.48 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $23,851 | $11.47 |
| 48 | Alabama | $23,922 | $11.50 |
| 49 | Florida | $26,098 | $12.55 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $25,686 | $12.35 |
| 51 | Wyoming | $21,299 | $10.24 |
Highest paying cities for forming machine operators
The highest-paying cities for forming machine operators are Allentown, PA, Appleton, WI, and La Mirada, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allentown, PA | $42,176 | $20.28 |
| 2 | Appleton, WI | $40,588 | $19.51 |
| 3 | La Mirada, CA | $40,435 | $19.44 |
| 4 | Wayne, NJ | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| 5 | Warwick, NY | $36,740 | $17.66 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $36,343 | $17.47 |
| 7 | Fort Wayne, IN | $35,761 | $17.19 |
| 8 | Chesterfield, MI | $33,853 | $16.28 |
| 9 | Euclid, OH | $33,279 | $16.00 |
| 10 | Denver, CO | $30,288 | $14.56 |
| 11 | Titusville, FL | $25,989 | $12.49 |
Forming machine operator salary details
A forming machine operator's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $46,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a forming machine operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| 75th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| Average | $35,252 | $2,938 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
Highest paying forming machine operator jobs
The highest paying types of forming machine operators are fiber drier operator, operator, and pelletizer operator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | $37,928 | $3,161 | $18.23 | 159,077 |
| Machine Operator/Forklift Operator | $32,452 | $2,704 | $15.60 | 120,073 |
| Production Operator | $35,185 | $2,932 | $16.92 | 117,254 |
| Line Operator | $34,520 | $2,877 | $16.60 | 137,127 |
| Pack Machine Operator | $35,157 | $2,930 | $16.90 | 68,876 |
| Handle Machine Operator | $29,598 | $2,467 | $14.23 | 110,258 |
Top companies hiring forming machine operators now:
Which companies pay forming machine operators the most?
Forming machine operator salaries at AMETEK and Post Holdings are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average forming machine operator salary at companies like United States Mint and Inline Plastics are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMETEK | $81,210 | $39.04 |
| 2 | Post Holdings | $43,010 | $20.68 |
| 3 | United States Mint | $40,986 | $19.70 |
| 4 | Inline Plastics | $40,830 | $19.63 |
| 5 | Roller Die + Forming | $39,130 | $18.81 |
| 6 | Stanley Black & Decker | $38,755 | $18.63 |
| 7 | QPS | $37,925 | $18.23 |
| 8 | Saint-Gobain | $37,785 | $18.17 |
| 9 | MacLean-Fogg | $37,609 | $18.08 |
| 10 | D&W Fine Pack | $37,344 | $17.95 |
| 11 | A&S Kinard | $36,836 | $17.71 |
| 12 | Hose Master Llc | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| 13 | Kelly Services | $33,675 | $16.19 |
| 14 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $33,206 | $15.96 |
| 15 | ManpowerGroup | $32,794 | $15.77 |
| 16 | SFS intec, Inc. | $32,653 | $15.70 |
| 17 | R.M. Schulte & Associates | $29,190 | $14.03 |
| 18 | Trc Staffing Services | $28,727 | $13.81 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Forming machine operator salary trends
The average forming machine operator salary has risen by $7,582 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average forming machine operator earned $27,670 annually, but today, they earn $35,252 a year. That works out to a 15% change in pay for forming machine operators over the last decade.
Compare forming machine operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average forming machine operator salary over time
Compare forming machine operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Forming machine operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $35,300 | $16.95 | +5.1% |
| 2025 | $33,500 | $16.09 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $32,600 | $15.66 | +2.7% |
| 2023 | $31,700 | $15.24 | +3.6% |
| 2022 | $30,600 | $14.69 | +4.3% |
Recently added forming machine operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornerstone Building Brands | Machine Operator-Roll Former | Horseshoe Beach, FL | 06/27/2025 | $37,566 |
| Aerotek | Roll Forming Machine Operator | Spokane Valley, WA | 06/25/2025 | $41,740 |
| Aerotek | Forming Machine Operator | Lincoln, NE | 06/21/2025 | $37,566 |
| Sfs Group Usa, Inc. | Machine Operator-Cold Forming | Medina, OH | 06/09/2025 | $39,653 |
| Aerotek | Forming Machine Operator | Lincoln, NE | 05/24/2025 | $37,566 |
| Manpowergroup | Forming Machine Operator 1 | Tempe, AZ | 05/16/2025 | $43,827 |
| Saint-Gobain | Forming Machine Operator | Wayne, NJ | 05/09/2025 | $51,900 |
| Sabert | Machine Operator-Forming | Fort Wayne, IN | 05/09/2025 | $45,601 |
| Sfs Group Usa, Inc. | Machine Operator-Cold Forming | Medina, OH | 04/28/2025 | $39,653 |
| Sfs Group Usa, Inc. | Machine Operator-Cold Forming | Medina, OH | 03/28/2025 | $39,653 |
Forming machine operator salary FAQs
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