What is a Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender?
Occupation Description Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
What Do Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Do On a Daily Basis?
- Preheat workpieces, using heating furnaces or hand torches.
- Thread ends of metal coils from reels through slitters and secure ends on recoilers.
- Position guides, stops, holding blocks, or other fixtures to secure and direct workpieces, using hand tools and measuring devices.
- Replace defective blades or wheels, using hand tools.
- Operate forklifts to deliver materials.
- Turn valves to start flow of coolant against cutting areas or to start airflow that blows cuttings away from kerfs.
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Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Skills
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.
Types of Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender
- Trimmer Machine Operator
- Die Cutter
- Terminal Press Operator
- Slasher
- Metal Punch Press Operator
Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 192,700 jobs in the United States for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. 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.
Do Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Make A Lot Of Money?
Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make between $23,440 and $52,270 a year.

Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Wyoming, Minnesota, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
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
Becoming a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator
What education or degrees do I need to become a Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

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

Similar Careers
Those who work as a Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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