Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers Salary: $49,616 Median Pay (2026 stats)
TL;DR
About 14,900 extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers nationally earn a mean of $49,616. Employment in the series shown fell about 15% from the first to the last year; projections imply about 5.7% annual decline.
Key Statistics
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers: what the data shows
Common questions about extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers careers, answered from BLS OEWS and O*NET in this repository.
What is a extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers?
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers is tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics under SOC 51-6091.
U.S. employment in our OEWS extract is about 14,900 workers.
What does a extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers do?
O*NET work activities rated highest for this occupation include Getting Information, Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings, Controlling Machines and Processes, Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials, Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events, Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment, and related tasks. See Work Activities for the full list.
How much does a extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers make?
BLS national median annual wage: $44,980 (May 2024 in our extract).
Mean annual wage in our occupational extract: $49,616 — higher than the median, which often reflects top earners in the distribution.
Wage percentiles below are from the California OEWS extract (not national unless noted).
| Wage percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,279 |
| 25th percentile | $40,967 |
| Median (50th) | $48,539 |
| 75th percentile | $53,987 |
| 90th percentile | $68,904 |
What education do you need?
For Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers, O*NET incumbent surveys in our extract most often report: Some college (29%), High School or Equivalent (27%), Bachelors Degree (22%).
These are education levels of current workers, not minimum legal requirements.
What skills do you need?
O*NET ratings for this occupation emphasize skills such as Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination, Time Management, and knowledge areas including Production and Processing, English Language, Mathematics, Education and Training. See Education & Skills for detail.
Is extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers in demand?
Historical employment trend in our series implies about 5.7% annual decline (compound rate in the extract).
Five-year projected employment change: -25.6%.
Ten-year projected employment change: -44.6%.
Current U.S. headcount: 14,900.
We report federal series only—compare wages, growth, and openings against your target market.
Where do extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fiberss work?
Top industries by employment share in our OEWS industry extract:
| Industry | Employment | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-industry | 14,900 | 20.7% |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | 14,900 | 20.7% |
| Manufacturing | 14,610 | 20.3% |
| Chemical Manufacturing | 4,820 | 6.7% |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 4,770 | 6.6% |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 4,400 | 6.1% |
See Industry for charts.
What degrees lead to this career?
Common majors for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers in O*NET:
See Related degrees.
Employment
Employment and salary information for the Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers workforce.
Employment Over Time
14,900 Workforce in 2023
The Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers workforce has been growing over time.
Historical employment trends for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Yearly Wage Ranking
$49,616 Average Wage
In 2023, Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers earned an average of $49,616.
Wage ranking compared to other occupations.
Wage Distribution
This chart shows the distribution of average salaries by income buckets for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Salary distribution for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Employment Growth Projections
-5.7% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)
699 Projected Employment (5 years)
Projected growth: -25.6%
520 Projected Employment (10 years)
Projected growth: -44.6%
This occupation is experiencing a decline. Consider related fields with better growth prospects.
Historical employment trends and future projections for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Industry
Information on the industries that employ Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers and on wages for those in the field.
Occupations by Industries
This graphic shows the share of Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers employed by various industries.
Industry distribution for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Wage Trends by Industry
-1.8% Average Annual Wage Growth Rate
Total, All Industry: -9.7% growth (Current: $49,616)
Historical wage growth trends by industry for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Geographic Distribution
Employment and wage information by geographic location for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
State employment and wages are from the U.S. BLS OEWS May 2024 state extract. Metropolitan areas use the national MSA file when available.
Top States by Employment
Top States by Employment:
- GA: 2,770 employees, $46,180 avg wage
- NC: 2,530 employees, $45,730 avg wage
- SC: 2,070 employees, $44,710 avg wage
- TX: 1,320 employees, $48,200 avg wage
- VA: 830 employees, $42,840 avg wage
- AL: 650 employees, $56,150 avg wage
- OH: 390 employees, $59,260 avg wage
- TN: 370 employees, $46,350 avg wage
- KS: 350 employees, $52,690 avg wage
- CA: 330 employees, $48,360 avg wage
Top 10 states by employment for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Top Metropolitan Areas
Top Metropolitan Areas:
- Dalton, GA: 910 employees, $42,830 avg wage
- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC: 830 employees, $48,050 avg wage
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA: 570 employees, $53,640 avg wage
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX: 530 employees, $50,790 avg wage
- Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC: 520 employees, $41,740 avg wage
- Columbia, SC: 470 employees, $43,490 avg wage
- Chattanooga, TN-GA: 300 employees, $48,760 avg wage
- Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX: 300 employees, $51,610 avg wage
- Greensboro-High Point, NC: 250 employees, $44,210 avg wage
- Wilmington, NC: 240 employees, $49,830 avg wage
Top 10 metropolitan statistical areas by employment for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Diversity
Demographic information on Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers in the US.
Gender and Age
The workforce of Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers in 2023 was 14,900 people, with 62.0% women and 38.0% men.
Gender and age distribution for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Races
Racial and ethnic shares when present in the career dataset. If the chart area shows a notice instead, occupational race/ethnicity fields are not yet populated for this extract.
Race and ethnicity distribution for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Education & Skills
Data on higher education choices and required skills for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Majors
The most common majors achieved by Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers in 2023 were Business Administration, Engineering, Business.
Common majors for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Education Levels
The main educational levels achieved by Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers workers.
Education level distribution for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Skills
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers need many skills, but most especially Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination.
Required skills for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Knowledge & Abilities
Knowledge areas and abilities required for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Knowledge Areas
The most important knowledge areas for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers include Production and Processing, English Language, Mathematics, Education and Training, Mechanical.
Knowledge areas required for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Abilities
Key abilities needed for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers include Problem Sensitivity, Control Precision, Near Vision, Finger Dexterity, Oral Comprehension.
Required abilities for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Work Activities
Common work activities performed by Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Daily Activities
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers spend their time on activities such as Getting Information, Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings, Controlling Machines and Processes, Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials, Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events.
Most important work activities for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
About
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
The average yearly wage for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers was $49,616 in 2023.
SOC Code
51-6091 - Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
Insights and Analysis
Compensation snapshot: Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers reports an average salary of $49,616.
Labor market presence: The current workforce is approximately 14,900 workers, indicating sustained demand.
Forward outlook: Projected annual decline is -5.7%, which should inform long-term career planning.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS), and O*NET Online.
All wage figures represent annual averages and may vary by location, industry, and experience level.