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All About Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Position Description Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Responsibilities
- Operate forklifts to deliver materials.
- Place workpieces on cutting tables, manually or using hoists, cranes, or sledges.
- Position guides, stops, holding blocks, or other fixtures to secure and direct workpieces, using hand tools and measuring devices.
- Thread ends of metal coils from reels through slitters and secure ends on recoilers.
- Adjust ram strokes of presses to specified lengths, using hand tools.
- Turn controls to set cutting speeds, feed rates, or table angles for specified operations.
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Skills Needed to be a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator
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.
Other Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Job Titles
- Pipe Stem Sawyer
- Die Setter
- Metal Trimmer
- Coil Cutter
- Sawyer
What Kind of Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Job Opportunities Are There?
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.
How Much Does a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Make?
The average yearly salary of a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator ranges 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 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 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.
What work experience do I need to become a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator?
Where do 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:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Are you already one of the many Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
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