SOC 51-7042 · Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro

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

The average salary for woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) in Allentown, Pennsylvania is $51,870 a year ($24.94 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $51,030: half of the 380 people in this job in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 19% more than the U.S. average for this job ($43,570).

$51,870average per year

$24.94 / hourMedian $51,030Take-home ≈ $42,265

  • $36K10th
  • $41K25th
  • $51KMedian
  • $61K75th
  • $64K90th

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

380people in this job
+19%vs U.S. average
#1 of 11Pennsylvania metros
100cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing pay range in Allentown

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,340 a year or less, while the top 10% make $64,200 or more. The middle half of woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) in Allentown earn between $41,220 and $60,960.

  • $36K10th
  • $41K25th
  • $51KMedian
  • $61K75th
  • $64K90th

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

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$51,870$4,322$24.94
Median$51,030$4,252$24.53
Entry level (25th percentile)$41,220$3,435$19.82
Experienced (75th percentile)$60,960$5,080$29.31

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

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

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders (except sawing) in Allentown earn 14% more than the Pennsylvania average ($45,550) and 19% more than the U.S. average ($43,570). At the median the gap is +18% against the U.S. median of $43,380.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Allentown$51,870$51,030$36,340$64,200380
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 Allentown

On the average salary of $51,870, a single filer in Allentown takes home about $42,265 a year, or $3,522 a month and $1,626 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.

The Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:

StatePer yearPer month
Working in NJ$42,539$3,545
Working in PA$42,265$3,522

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

Prices in the Allentown area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 100.0), so the average $51,870 buys what about $51,887 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Allentown ($48,990). A typical home costs $363,989, or 7.0 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $51,870 is worth in another city

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

Allentown ranks 1st of 11 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.

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

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

$24.94 an hour on average, and $24.53 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,340 a year and the 25th percentile is $41,220, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $42,265 a year ($3,522 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $51,870. 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 Allentown than elsewhere?

The average here is 19% 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 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ (10900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.3%.
  • 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 2.56, this job is 2.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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