Life As a Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender
Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Definition Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Daily Life Of a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator
- Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools.
- Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
- Grind out burrs or sharp edges, using portable grinders, speed lathes, or polishing jacks.
- Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
- Clean work area.
- Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
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Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Required Skills
These are the skills Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Related Job Titles
- Sintering Press Operator
- Four Slide Machine Setter
- Metal Bonding Press Operator
- Spring Tester
- Pipe Stem Sawyer
Is There Job Demand for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
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.
Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Salary
The typical yearly salary for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is somewhere 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 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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
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
Are there Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders education requirements?

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

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…
Career changers with experience as a Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
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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