Injection Molding Machine Operator Salary in the United States

How much does an Injection Molding Machine Operator make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Injection Molding Machine Operator in the United States is $42,796 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $49,410
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $39,534 to $46,258
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $36,564
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View as table View as graph 25% $39,534 10% $36,564 90% $49,410 75% $46,258 $42,796 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Injection Molding Machine Operator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $46,258 $3,855 $890 $22
Average $42,796 $3,566 $823 $21
25th Percentile $39,534 $3,294 $760 $19
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Key Factors That Influence Injection Molding Machine Operator Salaries

An Injection Molding Machine Operator'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 Injection Molding Machine Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Injection Molding Machine Operator'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $41,452
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $42,556
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $43,133
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $43,277
  • Expert (over 8 years): $43,517
Levels Salary
Entry Level Injection Molding Machine Operator$41,452
Intermediate Level Injection Molding Machine Operator$42,556
Senior Level Injection Molding Machine Operator$43,133
Specialist Level Injection Molding Machine Operator$43,277
Expert Level Injection Molding Machine Operator$43,517
$41,452 0 yr
$42,556 < 2 yrs
$43,133 2-4 yrs
$43,277 5-8 yrs
$43,517 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Injection Molding Machine Operators

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: $53,979
  • San Francisco: $53,448
  • Oakland: $52,262

What Skills Can Increase an Injection Molding Machine Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 7.05% 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.
  • Repairing (Mentioned in 2.85% Job Postings): To put something that is damaged, broken, or not working correctly, back into good condition or make it work again.
  • Hydraulics (Mentioned in 1.57% Job Postings): Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 7.05%
Repairing 2.85%
Hydraulics 1.57%
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 an Injection Molding Machine Operator's salary.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Bill of Materials: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis
$47,932
12%
Bill of Materials
$47,504
11%
Initiative
$47,076
10%
Commitment
$46,648
9%
Products and Services
$45,364
6%
Process Improvement
$44,508
4%
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Injection Molding Machine Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Injection Molding Machine Operator'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

Salary Trends for Injection Molding Machine Operator

Salaries for an Injection Molding Machine Operator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $37,495 in 2023 to around $36,976 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Injection Molding Machine Operator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Injection Molding Machine Operator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$37,495
2024
$37,224
2025
$36,976
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $37,495
2024 $37,224
2025 $36,976
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Injection Molding Machine Operator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Injection Molding Machine Operator

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

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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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