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Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)	Projected Growth (2024-2034)
National Statistics	$46060	12800	-0.5%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$46060

Median Wage (USD, 2024)

12800

Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)

-0.5%

Projected Growth (2024-2034)

Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.

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 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

Detailed Work Activities

Operate cutting equipment.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Operate grinding equipment.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Select production equipment according to product specifications.
Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
Replace worn equipment components.
Repair production equipment or tools.
Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids.
Clean production equipment.
Maintain production or processing equipment.
Lubricate production equipment.
Select production input materials.
Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
Smooth metal surfaces or edges.
Instruct workers to use equipment or perform technical procedures.
Record operational or production data.
Clear equipment jams.
Set equipment guides, stops, spacers, or other fixtures.
Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment.
Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
Program equipment to perform production tasks.
Write computer programming code.

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

Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments.
Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists.
Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences.
Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.
Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary.
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, cutters, shears, borers, millers, grinders, presses, drills, or auxiliary machines, to make metallic and plastic workpieces.
Change worn machine accessories, such as cutting tools or brushes, using hand tools.
Set machine stops or guides to specified lengths as indicated by scales, rules, or templates.
Select the proper coolants and lubricants and start their flow.
Remove burrs, sharp edges, rust, or scale from workpieces, using files, hand grinders, wire brushes, or power tools.
Perform minor machine maintenance, such as oiling or cleaning machines, dies, or workpieces, or adding coolant to machine reservoirs.
Make minor electrical and mechanical repairs and adjustments to machines and notify supervisors when major service is required.
Compute data, such as gear dimensions or machine settings, applying knowledge of shop mathematics.
Start machines and turn handwheels or valves to engage feeding, cooling, and lubricating mechanisms.
Move controls or mount gears, cams, or templates in machines to set feed rates and cutting speeds, depths, and angles.
Instruct other workers in machine set-up and operation.
Record operational data, such as pressure readings, lengths of strokes, feed rates, or speeds.
Extract or lift jammed pieces from machines, using fingers, wire hooks, or lift bars.
Measure and mark reference points and cutting lines on workpieces, using traced templates, compasses, and rules.
Write programs for computer numerical control (CNC) machines to cut metal and plastic materials.
Align layout marks with dies or blades.

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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