Die Setter Salary: Columbus, OH
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The median annual wage for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (SOC 51-4031) in Columbus, OH was $44,890 in May 2025 (BLS). The middle half of workers in this occupation and area earned between $38,880 and $50,640. This is the broader occupation used for Die Setter, not a separately surveyed rate for that title or credential.
Broader occupation Our title "Die Setter" is reported by BLS as SOC 51-4031 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. BLS groups Die Setter within Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately.
For Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (SOC 51-4031), the Columbus, OH annual median is $1,440 below the national median of $46,330 (-3.1%).
Annual wages: Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (SOC 51-4031)
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (SOC 51-4031), Columbus, OH, annual wages: 10% earned less than $38,170, half earned less than the median of $44,890, 90% earned less than $62,020 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,170 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $38,880 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $44,890 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $50,640 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $62,020 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $47,030 | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Hourly wages: Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (SOC 51-4031)
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (SOC 51-4031), Columbus, OH, hourly wages: 10% earned less than $18.35, half earned less than the median of $21.58, 90% earned less than $29.82 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Hourly wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.35 per hour | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $18.69 per hour | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $21.58 per hour | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $24.35 per hour | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $29.82 per hour | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $22.61 per hour | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
National comparison
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,760 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $38,870 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $46,330 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $55,410 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $65,510 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $48,430 | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4031 Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, Columbus, OH.
What BLS wages measure. OEWS estimates describe straight-time gross wages, not just base salary and not total compensation. They include commissions and production bonuses. They exclude overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits. Discuss travel, per diem, tool and truck allowances separately. Percentiles describe the occupation's wage distribution, not seniority, plant size, job complexity or credentials. Licensing, union agreements and prevailing-wage obligations depend on the work and assignment; these figures do not establish a premium for them.
Official BLS wage definitions | Source dates and methodology
BLS definitions, verbatim
wages
Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
hours
Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly wages by 2,080 hours; for occupations where hourly wages are not published, annual wages were taken directly from the reported survey data.
Other markets
These are other target markets with published figures, not nearby areas.
What belongs in the pay comparison for Die Setter?
Separate ordinary wages from overtime, shift differentials and allowances. Check whether a service truck is a work tool or a personal-use benefit. Tool replacement, on-call terms, travel reimbursement and relocation support need their own discussion rather than being folded into a published wage.
Published wages are not a complete offer for this specific seat. The occupation is Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, SOC 51-4031. BLS groups Die Setter within Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately.
What BLS wages measure. OEWS estimates describe straight-time gross wages, not just base salary and not total compensation. They include commissions and production bonuses. They exclude overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits. Discuss travel, per diem, tool and truck allowances separately. Percentiles describe the occupation's wage distribution, not seniority, plant size, job complexity or credentials. Licensing, union agreements and prevailing-wage obligations depend on the work and assignment; these figures do not establish a premium for them.
Official BLS wage definitions | Source dates and methodology
BLS definitions, verbatim
wages
Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
hours
Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly wages by 2,080 hours; for occupations where hourly wages are not published, annual wages were taken directly from the reported survey data.
Which related roles have a different BLS occupation?
A supervisory occupation is not an experience percentile for the craft. Compare the actual responsibilities and the published SOC.
Machine Shop Supervisor (51-1011)What changed since May 2024
SOC 51-4031. Published annual median: $45,750 (May 2024) and $44,890 (May 2025). These are two BLS releases, not a projection.