CDCareer Decision

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Hickory, NC

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Hickory, NC have a median annual salary of $53,800, with 940 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $46,460 at the 10th percentile to $59,460 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$53,800

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$25.87

Employment

940

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$46,460
10th
$48,820
25th
$53,800
Median
$56,620
75th
$59,460
90th

Local compared with national

Hickory, NC

$53,800

Median annual · 2025

United States

$47,720

Median annual · 2025

The Hickory, NC median is 12.7% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $6,080).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.9
  2. 2.Operation and ControlImportance 3.8
  3. 3.MonitoringImportance 3.3
  4. 4.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 3.1
  5. 5.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  6. 6.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  7. 7.CoordinationImportance 3.0
  8. 8.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 3.0
  9. 9.TroubleshootingImportance 3.0
  10. 10.RepairingImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Active ListeningImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Experience
None
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • Enterprise application integration EAI software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Operational databases
  • SAP software

Common tasks

  • Measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products.
  • Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion.
  • Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications.
  • Troubleshoot, maintain, and make minor repairs to equipment.
  • Change dies on extruding machines, according to production line changes.
  • Load machine hoppers with mixed materials, using augers, or stuff rolls of plastic dough into machine cylinders.
  • Install dies, machine screws, and sizing rings on machines that extrude thermoplastic or metal materials.
  • Operate shearing mechanisms to cut rods to specified lengths.
  • Maintain an inventory of materials.
  • Clean work areas.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in other locations

Other occupations in Hickory, NC