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Plastic Injection Molding Operator III Salary in the United States

How much does a Plastic Injection Molding Operator III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Plastic Injection Molding Operator III in the United States is $56,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, a Plastic Injection Molding Operator III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $69,309
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,300 to $63,300
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,384
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Plastic Injection Molding Operator III Salaries

A Plastic Injection Molding Operator III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Plastic Injection Molding Operator III Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Plastic Injection Molding Operator IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $62,800.
  • California: $62,600.
  • Massachusetts: $61,700.

Top Paying Cities for Plastic Injection Molding Operator IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $71,500
  • San Francisco: $70,700
  • Oakland: $69,300

What Skills Can Increase a Plastic Injection Molding Operator III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 3.46% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 1.92% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
  • 5S (Mentioned in 1.15% Job Postings): Stands for sort, sustain, set in order, standardized and shine. 5 tips that are designed to achieve clean, uncluttered, safe, and well organized workplace for a more systematized work flow.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 3.46%
Continuous Improvement 1.92%
5S 1.15%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Plastic Injection Molding Operator III's salary.

  • Container: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Container $66,339
17%
Analysis $65,205
15%
Team Management $64,638
14%
Get Latest Data

Plastic Injection Molding Operator III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Plastic Injection Molding Operator III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $63,878. While startup companies pay approximate $54,108.

Plastic Injection Molding Operator III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $54,108
Growth Stage 51~500 $57,197
Established 501~5000 $61,704
Enterprise 5000+ $63,878

Plastic Injection Molding Operator III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Plastic Injection Molding Operator III roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Biotechnology, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Plastic Injection Molding Operator positions in MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Plastic Injection Molding Operator III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Plastic Injection Molding Operator III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$68,040$33.020%

Plastic Injection Molding Operator III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Plastic Injection Molding Operator III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$51,300
Average $56,700/year
$63,300
$4,275
Average $4,725/month
$5,275
$987
Average $1,090/week
$1,217
$25
Average $27/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $63,300 $5,275 $1,217 $30
Average $56,700 $4,725 $1,090 $27
25th Percentile $51,300 $4,275 $987 $25

Plastic Injection Molding Operator III Salary Growth & Career Path

Plastic Injection Molding Operator III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Plastic Injection Molding Operator III, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Manufacturing Machine Operator IV $55,500 -2%
Expert Machinist $73,400 29%
CNC Laser Machine Operator IV $71,400 26%
Packing Line Operations Supervisor $84,600 49%

Most common benefits for Plastic Injection Molding Operator III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Plastic Injection Molding Operator III

Here are companies hiring for Plastic Injection Molding Operator III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Plastic Injection Molding Operator III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Plastic Injection Molding Operator III?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Plastic Injection Molding Operator III roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How many injection molders are there in the US?

As of 2023, there are 408 Contract Injection Molding Manufacturing businesses in the US, reflecting a decrease of -2.2% from 2022. The salary for a Plastic Injection Molding Operator ranges from a minimum of $52,000 to a maximum of $67,600, with a mid-range salary of $60,300.

3. How profitable is injection molding?

The profitability of injection molding largely depends on production volume. For large-scale orders, it can be quite lucrative, with salaries for operators ranging from $52,000 to $67,600 annually. However, small quantity orders may yield lower profits due to significant costs associated with mold design and tooling, impacting overall budget efficiency.

4. What is the machine hour rate for injection molding machine?

The machine hour rate for an injection molding machine is calculated similarly to the labor hour rate. For instance, if factory overhead is $52,000 and total machine hours are 1,500, the machine hour rate would be approximately $34.67 per machine hour ($52,000 ÷ 1,500 hours). This method helps in determining the cost efficiency of machine operations.

5. Who is the largest injection molding company in the world?

The largest injection molding companies globally include ENGEL, Haitian International, and Milacron, among others. As a Plastic Injection Molding Operator, you can expect a salary ranging from $52,000 to $67,600, with a median salary of $60,300, reflecting the industry's demand for skilled professionals.

6. Why is injection molding so expensive?

Designing, creating, and assembling injection molds is a labor-intensive and complex process requiring skilled specialists. These professionals, such as Plastic Injection Molding Operators, earn salaries ranging from $52,000 to $67,600, reflecting their expertise. Cutting corners on quality can lead to higher costs down the line, making it essential to invest in skilled labor.

7. Is plastic injection molding difficult?

Plastic injection molding can be challenging due to factors like tight tolerances, material selection, and the need for precision in molds and machines. Operators must navigate these complexities, which is reflected in their salaries, ranging from $52,000 to $67,600, with a median of $60,300, indicating the skill level required for this profession.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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