Prevailing Wage for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Prevailing wage for Cold Header Operator roles is set by DOL using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, and the floor shifts significantly depending on where the worksite sits. Whether your offer covers work as a Forge Operator, Blacksmith, or Hammer Operator, DOL assigns four experience levels, each carrying a different wage floor.
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Entry-level candidates with limited hands-on forging experience and no independent setup responsibilities. Typically recent hires learning machine controls and die configurations under direct supervision. DOL expects minimal autonomy and straightforward, repetitive tasks at this level.
The most common filing level for Cold Header Operator positions. Workers with a few years of practical forging experience who can set up and adjust equipment independently but still operate within established procedures and receive general supervision.
Experienced operators who handle complex die setups, troubleshoot equipment issues without direct supervision, and may informally guide newer workers. DOL associates this level with broad technical knowledge and limited independent judgment on non-routine problems.
Fully competent professionals with deep expertise across forging processes, materials, and tooling. Expected to make independent decisions, lead setup activities, and serve as a technical resource on the shop floor. Employers file here for senior or lead-operator roles.
Prevailing Wage for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Cold Header Operator and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Watch how employers classify forge press titles
Job postings titled Forge Press Operator or Forger sometimes get filed under adjacent production SOC codes, missing the SOC 51-4022 wage floor entirely. Confirm the LCA lists SOC 51-4022 before accepting any sponsored offer.
Account for shift differentials in your base-wage check
Many forging operations run overnight or weekend shifts and bundle shift premiums into total compensation. DOL prevailing wage compliance is measured against base hourly rate only, so shift pay padding an otherwise below-floor offer does not satisfy the requirement.
Compare your offer against Worcester and Miami floors
The wage gap between top and bottom metros for this occupation is wide. A Cold Header Operator offer in a lower-paying market like Miami carries a meaningfully different floor than one in Worcester, MA, so location matters more than title when evaluating compliance.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers who sponsor this role
Migrate Mate shows which companies have a verified history of sponsoring Forge Operator and Cold Header Operator positions, so you can prioritize outreach toward employers already familiar with H-1B and green card filings for SOC 51-4022 roles.
Jobs for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Cold Header OperatorPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-4022.00 alongside Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Blacksmith Prevailing Wage
Blacksmith Prevailing Wage
Blacksmith positions fall under SOC 51-4022.00 (Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Cold Header Operator Prevailing Wage
Cold Header Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Cold Header Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4022.00 (Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Forge Operator Prevailing Wage
Forge Operator Prevailing Wage
Forge Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4022.00 (Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Forge Press Operator Prevailing Wage
Forge Press Operator Prevailing Wage
Forge Press Operator positions fall under SOC 51-4022.00 (Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Forger Prevailing Wage
Forger Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Forger for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4022.00 (Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Hammer Operator Prevailing Wage
Hammer Operator Prevailing Wage
Hammer Operator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4022.00 (Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Header Set-Up Operator Prevailing Wage
Header Set-Up Operator Prevailing Wage
Header Set-Up Operator positions fall under SOC 51-4022.00 (Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
Machine Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Machine Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-4022.00 (Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Process Technician Prevailing Wage
Process Technician Prevailing Wage
Process Technician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-4022.00 (Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Set Up Technician Prevailing Wage
Set Up Technician Prevailing Wage
Set Up Technician positions fall under SOC 51-4022.00 (Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Cold Header Operator positions?
DOL calculates prevailing wages for Cold Header Operator roles using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. OFLC maps the position to SOC 51-4022, then assigns a wage based on the worksite's geographic area. Employers must certify on the Labor Condition Application that the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable level for that location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL uses four levels tied to experience and autonomy. Level 1 covers entry-level workers under close supervision. Level 2, the most common filing level for Blacksmith and Forge Operator roles, reflects independent but procedurally guided work. Level 3 applies to experienced operators handling non-routine tasks. Level 4 is for fully competent professionals in senior or lead positions. Your level should match the actual job duties described in the offer.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same Forger role vary so much from city to city?
OFLC bases wages on regional OES surveys, which capture local labor market conditions separately for each metropolitan area. A Cold Header Operator position in Worcester, MA sits in a market with higher manufacturing wages and denser industrial employers than one in Kingsport, TN. The worksite listed on the LCA determines which regional rate applies, regardless of where the employer's headquarters is located.
What happens if an employer offers below the prevailing wage for a sponsored Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic position?
USCIS and DOL treat a below-floor offer as a deficiency in the LCA, which can result in denial of the H-1B petition or green card sponsorship. Employers who knowingly file with an insufficient wage also face DOL enforcement action, including back-pay obligations and debarment from future sponsorship. The employee bears no direct liability but loses the visa path if the petition is denied.
How can I verify the prevailing wage for a Cold Header Operator role at a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current DOL wage by SOC code 51-4022 and the worksite's metropolitan area. Select the appropriate experience level based on the job description. You can also cross-reference Bureau of Labor Statistics OES data for the same area. Migrate Mate lists employers with a sponsorship history for this occupation, which helps you identify companies already familiar with prevailing wage filing requirements.
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