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What Does it Take to Be a Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender?
Position 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
- Operate forklifts to deliver materials.
- Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
- Preheat workpieces, using heating furnaces or hand torches.
- Hone cutters with oilstones to remove nicks.
- Position guides, stops, holding blocks, or other fixtures to secure and direct workpieces, using hand tools and measuring devices.
- Set stops on machine beds, change dies, and adjust components, such as rams or power presses, when making multiple or successive passes.
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Qualities of a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator
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.
Types of Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender
- Shearman
- Hot Stamp Operator
- Zipper Trimmer
- Strip Metal Punch and Straightener Operator
- Under 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. 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 Average 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?
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.
How many years of work experience do I need?
You May Also Be Interested In…
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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