How much does a metal mill operator make?
Answer: A typical metal mill operator in the United States makes $52,800 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 12,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Metal mill operator pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,840 | $52,800 | $81,030 | about 12,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $66,440 | about 540 |
| Illinois | $63,360 | about 570 |
| California | $59,050 | about 2,000 |
| Indiana | $57,720 | about 590 |
| New York | $56,560 | about 550 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience and skills such as setting up CNC machines or handling complex jobs can raise pay; useful certificates may help workers advance. Pay also differs by employer industry and location, while evening or weekend shifts and overtime can change total earnings.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a metal mill operator do?
Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
What's a typical day like?
They read a work order, secure a metal or plastic piece, and set the cutter and machine controls. They watch the mill cut, then use gauges or calipers to check the part and record the results.
How to get this job
U.S. workers usually finish high school or earn a GED; math and computer classes help. They can start as trainees or apprentices, learn on the job, and build skills in measuring, tool changes, setup, and CNC; certificates may help advancement.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
A worn cutter can make parts come out flawed, so operators replace it with a new tool made by a tool-and-die maker.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Production jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/OOH/production/metal-and-plastic-machine-workers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/51-4035.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes514035.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/ooh/production/machinists-and-tool-and-die-makers.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY