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 January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Plastic Injection Molding Operator III in the United States is $56,600 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): $68,827
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,300 to $63,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,475
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View as table View as graph 25% $51,300 10% $46,475 90% $68,827 75% $63,000 $56,600 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Plastic Injection Molding Operator III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $63,000 $5,250 $1,212 $30
Average $56,600 $4,717 $1,088 $27
25th Percentile $51,300 $4,275 $987 $25
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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 your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Plastic Injection Molding Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Plastic Injection Molding Operator III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Plastic Injection Molding Operator I (0-1 years): $42,929
  • Plastic Injection Molding Operator II (1-3 years): $48,484
  • Plastic Injection Molding Operator III (3-5 years): $56,590
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Plastic Injection Molding Operator I0-1 years$42,929
Plastic Injection Molding Operator II1-3 years$48,484
Plastic Injection Molding Operator III3-5 years$56,590
$42,929 Plastic I...
$48,484 Plastic I...
$56,590 Plastic I...
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What Am I Worth?

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: $62,700.
  • California: $62,500.
  • Massachusetts: $61,600.

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: $71,400
  • San Francisco: $70,700
  • Oakland: $69,200

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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 3.46%
Continuous Improvement 1.92%
5S 1.15%
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
$66,222
17%
Analysis
$65,090
15%
Team Management
$64,524
14%
Leadership
$63,958
13%
Commitment
$63,392
12%
Quality Management
$62,260
10%
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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 January 01, 2026

Plastic Injection Molding Operator III Salary Growth & Career Path

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.

Plastic Injection Molding Operator III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Manufacturing Machine Operator IV $65,200 15%
Expert Machinist $73,300 30%
CNC Laser Machine Operator III $71,300 26%
Packing Line Operations Supervisor $84,400 49%

Salary Trends for Plastic Injection Molding Operator III

Salaries for a Plastic Injection Molding Operator III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $47,491 in 2023 to around $47,039 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Plastic Injection Molding Operator III salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Plastic Injection Molding Operator III Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$47,491
2024
$47,355
2025
$47,039
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $47,491
2024 $47,355
2025 $47,039
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Plastic Injection Molding Operator III

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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