Who Earns What

How much does a metal rolling operator make?

US Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
$50,140

a year · about $24 an hour

A typical metal rolling operator in the United States makes $50,140 a year, about $24 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

They check the work order, feed metal into the rolling mill, and watch the gauges and rollers for jams. They adjust the machine, measure the finished strip or rod, and record the results.

Did you know? Some rolling-machine operators make wire by squeezing and stretching metal rods with spinning rollers.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$50,140
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $37,690 and $70,310
51 of 100
more than half

How do you become one?

In the United States, most people start with a high-school diploma or GED and learn the job in a factory from experienced workers, usually over several months to about a year. Metalworking or CNC classes, or a registered apprenticeship such as Roll Operator I, can build skills.

School needed: High school plus some training

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the United States, pay often rises with experience and skill, such as learning to set up a mill, and can differ by employer, industry, and location. Extra hours or evening and weekend shifts may also change total earnings; a credential can help when an employer values it.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in Iowa ($72,670), lowest in Michigan ($44,090).

See every state
Whole US$50,140
Iowa$72,670
Pennsylvania$66,970
Illinois$54,180
Alabama$53,380
Kentucky$50,400
Indiana$45,430
Georgia$45,050
Michigan$44,090

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Metal rolling operator pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$37,690$50,140$70,310about 25,000
States where metal rolling operators earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Iowa$72,670about 660
Pennsylvania$66,970about 3,000
Illinois$54,180about 550
Alabama$53,380about 2,000
Kentucky$50,400about 1,000

Official definition: Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.

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

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY