Forging Machine Operator Salary in 2026
How Much Do Forging Machine Operators Make?
Forging Machine Operators earn a median annual salary of $49,240 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,150 at the 10th percentile to $69,540 at the 90th percentile — a range of $34,390. The highest-paying state is New Jersey at $63,630.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,150 |
| 25th percentile | $41,350 |
| Median (50th) | $49,240 |
| 75th percentile | $59,270 |
| 90th percentile | $69,540 |
Forging Machine Operator Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jerseytop | $63,630 |
| Massachusetts | $60,540 |
| Kentucky | $59,700 |
| Nebraska | $58,560 |
| California | $57,620 |
| Oklahoma | $56,030 |
| Colorado | $55,990 |
| New York | $53,140 |
| Virginia | $53,050 |
| Oregon | $52,040 |
| Wisconsin | $51,760 |
| Arkansas | $51,520 |
| Michigan | $50,950 |
| Kansas | $50,900 |
| Ohio | $50,200 |
| Nevada | $49,920 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,590 |
| South Carolina | $48,320 |
| Missouri | $48,010 |
| Illinois | $47,540 |
| Alabama | $46,640 |
| Indiana | $46,460 |
| South Dakota | $45,430 |
| Iowa | $45,420 |
| Connecticut | $44,000 |
| Georgia | $42,120 |
| Maine | $41,530 |
| Florida | $39,210 |
| Mississippi | $36,940 |
| Texas | $36,910 |
| Tennessee | $36,000 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Forging Machine Operators
Forging 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) | ~$35,150 – $41,350 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$49,240 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$59,270 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $69,540+ |
How to Earn More as a Forging Machine Operator
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Forging Machine Operators in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD earn $62,590 — $13,350 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 ($59,270) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Forging Machine Operator Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Forging Machine Operatorthis career | $49,240 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $63,760 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $60,500 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Operator | $46,980 |
| Rolling Machine Operator | $48,630 |
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SOC: 51-4022.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.