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What Does it Take to Be a Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender?
Example of Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Job 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?
- Scribe reference lines on workpieces as guides for cutting operations, according to blueprints, templates, sample parts, or specifications.
- Grind out burrs or sharp edges, using portable grinders, speed lathes, or polishing jacks.
- Place workpieces on cutting tables, manually or using hoists, cranes, or sledges.
- Select, clean, and install spacers, rubber sleeves, or cutters on arbors.
- Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
- 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 Required 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 Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Jobs
- Bolt Cutter
- Rivet Hole Puncher
- Planishing Press Operator
- Machine Operator Slitter Technician
- Gasket Former
What Kind of Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 192,700 jobs for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016 (in the United States). 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.
Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Salary
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.
How much do Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in each U.S. state?
| 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 & Technology do Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- SAP
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Computerized numerical control CNC software
- Automated inventory software
Becoming 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?
Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Sector
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
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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
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