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Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)	Projected Growth (2024-2034)
National Statistics	$46630	400	-19.6%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$46630

Median Wage (USD, 2024)

400

Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)

-19.6%

Projected Growth (2024-2034)

Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: N.A.

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

Detailed Work Activities

Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
Replace worn equipment components.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
Lift materials or workpieces using cranes or other lifting equipment.
Signal others to coordinate work activities.
Assemble metal or plastic parts or products.
Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
Operate grinding equipment.
Sharpen cutting or grinding tools.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.
Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.
Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.
Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.
Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.
Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.
Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices.
Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems.
Lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces.
Turn valves and direct flow of coolants or cutting oil over cutting areas.
Install tools in spindles.
Perform minor assembly, such as fastening parts with nuts, bolts, or screws, using power tools or hand tools.
Operate single- or multiple-spindle drill presses to bore holes so that machining operations can be performed on metal or plastic workpieces.
Lay out reference lines and machining locations on work, using layout tools, and applying knowledge of shop math and layout techniques.
Sharpen cutting tools, using bench grinders.
Operate tracing attachments to duplicate contours from templates or models.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Innovation

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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