SOC 51-7042 · Reading, PA metro

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing Salary in Reading, PA

The average salary for woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) in Reading, Pennsylvania is $47,070 a year ($22.63 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $45,070: half of the 150 people in this job in the Reading, PA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 8% more than the U.S. average for this job ($43,570).

$47,070average per year

$22.63 / hourMedian $45,070Take-home ≈ $38,556

  • $38K10th
  • $40K25th
  • $45KMedian
  • $47K75th
  • $71K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

150people in this job
+8%vs U.S. average
#4 of 11Pennsylvania metros
97cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing pay range in Reading

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,740 a year or less, while the top 10% make $70,720 or more. The middle half of woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) in Reading earn between $40,050 and $47,190.

  • $38K10th
  • $40K25th
  • $45KMedian
  • $47K75th
  • $71K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$47,070$3,922$22.63
Median$45,070$3,756$21.67
Entry level (25th percentile)$40,050$3,338$19.25
Experienced (75th percentile)$47,190$3,932$22.69

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing pay in Reading vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) in Reading earn 3% more than the Pennsylvania average ($45,550) and 8% more than the U.S. average ($43,570). At the median the gap is +4% against the U.S. median of $43,380.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Reading$47,070$45,070$37,740$70,720150
Pennsylvania$45,550$44,980$36,060$60,9603,310
United States$43,570$43,380$32,110$56,83061,420

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary after taxes in Reading

On the average salary of $47,070, a single filer in Reading takes home about $38,556 a year, or $3,213 a month and $1,483 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.

Pennsylvania paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Reading a good place for woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Reading area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.1), so the average $47,070 buys what about $48,496 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Reading ($49,440). A typical home costs $312,348, or 6.6 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $47,070 is worth in another city

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary in other Pennsylvania cities

Reading ranks 4th of 11 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Allentown pays the most ($51,870).

All Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salaries in Pennsylvania

Highest-paying cities for woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing)

Longview, WA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($57,100).

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary by city

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Reviewed before it counts. Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in Reading, PA.

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary in Reading: questions

How much do woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) make an hour in Reading?

$22.63 an hour on average, and $21.67 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) salary in Reading?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,740 a year and the 25th percentile is $40,050, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) take-home pay in Reading?

About $38,556 a year ($3,213 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $47,070. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.

Do woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) earn more in Reading than elsewhere?

The average here is 8% more than the U.S. average for this job ($43,570).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-7042; area Reading, PA (39740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.4%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 2.14, this job is 2.1 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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