All About Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Career Description Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
A Day in the Life of a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator
- Mark identifying data on workpieces.
- Plan sequences of operations, applying knowledge of physical properties of workpiece materials.
- Operate forklifts to deliver materials.
- Hone cutters with oilstones to remove nicks.
- Set blade tensions, heights, and angles to perform prescribed cuts, using wrenches.
- Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools.
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What Every Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders say are important on the job.
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
- Saw Operator
- Punch Press Setter
- Gasket Maker
- Nibbler Operator
- Thermal Cutting Machine Operator
Is There Going to be Demand for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 18,900 job openings in this field each 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.
Average Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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.
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 |
What Tools & Technology 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?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator?
Where 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:
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
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