Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operators Make?
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operators earn a median annual salary of $45,590 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,000 at the 10th percentile to $62,650 at the 90th percentile — a range of $27,650. The highest-paying state is West Virginia at $53,460.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,000 |
| 25th percentile | $38,400 |
| Median (50th) | $45,590 |
| 75th percentile | $52,150 |
| 90th percentile | $62,650 |
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| West Virginiatop | $53,460 |
| Oregon | $51,810 |
| Minnesota | $50,960 |
| Maine | $50,180 |
| Washington | $49,590 |
| Wisconsin | $48,730 |
| Colorado | $48,680 |
| Montana | $48,290 |
| Maryland | $48,210 |
| Kentucky | $48,170 |
| Iowa | $47,850 |
| Nebraska | $47,680 |
| Alaska | $47,600 |
| New Hampshire | $47,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,510 |
| Missouri | $47,310 |
| New Jersey | $47,170 |
| California | $47,100 |
| Connecticut | $46,680 |
| Arizona | $46,490 |
| Michigan | $46,470 |
| North Dakota | $46,050 |
| Virginia | $45,850 |
| Massachusetts | $45,780 |
| Illinois | $45,700 |
| Nevada | $45,430 |
| Indiana | $45,400 |
| New York | $45,130 |
| Arkansas | $45,020 |
| Utah | $44,940 |
| Rhode Island | $44,780 |
| Oklahoma | $44,140 |
| Wyoming | $44,090 |
| Tennessee | $44,080 |
| South Dakota | $44,050 |
| Ohio | $43,920 |
| Georgia | $43,630 |
| Vermont | $43,630 |
| Louisiana | $43,580 |
| Kansas | $42,680 |
| South Carolina | $42,390 |
| North Carolina | $42,330 |
| Texas | $41,620 |
| New Mexico | $39,630 |
| Mississippi | $39,570 |
| Alabama | $39,460 |
| Delaware | $39,170 |
| Idaho | $38,860 |
| Florida | $37,660 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operators
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operator Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$35,000 – $38,400 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$45,590 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$52,150 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $62,650+ |
How to Earn More as a Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operators in Flint, MI earn $74,080 — $28,490 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($52,150) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operatorthis career | $45,590 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $63,760 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Operator | $46,980 |
| Forging Machine Operator | $49,240 |
| Rolling Machine Operator | $48,630 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Operator requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
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SOC: 51-4031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.