All About Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Position Description Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Responsibilities

• Operate forklifts to deliver materials.
• Place workpieces on cutting tables, manually or using hoists, cranes, or sledges.
• Position guides, stops, holding blocks, or other fixtures to secure and direct workpieces, using hand tools and measuring devices.
• Thread ends of metal coils from reels through slitters and secure ends on recoilers.
• Adjust ram strokes of presses to specified lengths, using hand tools.
• Turn controls to set cutting speeds, feed rates, or table angles for specified operations.

Skills Needed to be a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator

Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Other Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Job Titles

• Pipe Stem Sawyer
• Die Setter
• Metal Trimmer
• Coil Cutter
• Sawyer

What Kind of Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Job Opportunities Are There?

In the United States, there were 192,700 jobs for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. There will be an estimated 18,900 positions for Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator per year.

The states with the most job growth for Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator are Utah, North Dakota, and Georgia. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Colorado, or New Hampshire. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Make?

The average yearly salary of a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator ranges between $23,440 and $52,270.

Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Wyoming, Minnesota, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.

How much do Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in different U.S. states?

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$32,580
Alaska	$38,340
Arizona	$36,540
Arkansas	$35,690
California	$37,430
Colorado	$37,820
Connecticut	$38,250
Delaware	$33,990
Florida	$31,860
Georgia	$31,460
Idaho	$30,910
Illinois	$36,340
Indiana	$33,940
Iowa	$36,060
Kansas	$33,680
Kentucky	$40,270
Louisiana	$37,840
Maine	$39,000
Maryland	$42,770
Massachusetts	$41,090
Michigan	$37,940
Minnesota	$43,200
Mississippi	$32,210
Missouri	$36,920
Montana	$37,050
Nebraska	$37,360
Nevada	$32,360
New Hampshire	$36,850
New Jersey	$34,850
New Mexico	$29,760
New York	$40,240
North Carolina	$31,620
North Dakota	$35,640
Ohio	$35,590
Oklahoma	$34,490
Oregon	$38,960
Pennsylvania	$37,360
Rhode Island	$32,810
South Carolina	$35,690
South Dakota	$36,660
Tennessee	$33,420
Texas	$32,650
Utah	$35,910
Vermont	$36,360
Virginia	$36,610
Washington	$44,670
West Virginia	$36,520
Wisconsin	$38,970
Wyoming	$43,330

What Tools do Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• SAP
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Computerized numerical control CNC software
• Automated inventory software

How do I Become a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator?

Learn what Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator?

Where do Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Work?

Below are examples of industries where Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders work:

You May Also Be Interested In…

Are you already one of the many Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

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

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.