Life As a Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender
Drilling & Boring Machine Operator Job Description Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
A Day in the Life of a Drilling & Boring Machine Operator
- Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
- Turn valves and direct flow of coolants or cutting oil over cutting areas.
- Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.
- Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.
- Operate tracing attachments to duplicate contours from templates or models.
- Install tools in spindles.
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Things a Drilling & Boring Machine Operator Should Know How to Do
These are the skills Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool 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.
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.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Other Drilling & Boring Machine Operator Job Titles
- Printed Circuit Boards Drill Press Operator
- Barrel Driller
- Dice Maker
- Radial Drill Operator for Plastic
- Manufacturing Operator
Is There Job Demand for Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
In the United States, there were 12,300 jobs for Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 900 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Drilling & Boring Machine Operator are Georgia, Idaho, and South Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Massachusetts, Alabama, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Drilling & Boring Machine Operator Salary
The average yearly salary of a Drilling & Boring Machine Operator ranges between $24,960 and $62,680.

Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Connecticut, Nevada, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.
How much do Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $41,480 |
Arizona | $35,710 |
Arkansas | $38,030 |
California | $39,330 |
Colorado | $41,540 |
Connecticut | $52,970 |
Georgia | $37,080 |
Illinois | $39,220 |
Indiana | $36,150 |
Iowa | $44,790 |
Kansas | $40,170 |
Kentucky | $38,500 |
Louisiana | $49,660 |
Maryland | $52,070 |
Massachusetts | $50,040 |
Michigan | $40,230 |
Minnesota | $36,360 |
Mississippi | $28,990 |
Missouri | $35,110 |
Nevada | $53,930 |
New Hampshire | $38,350 |
New Jersey | $47,780 |
New York | $34,560 |
North Carolina | $35,140 |
Ohio | $42,940 |
Oklahoma | $39,680 |
Oregon | $48,990 |
Pennsylvania | $38,100 |
South Carolina | $39,940 |
South Dakota | $35,410 |
Tennessee | $36,290 |
Texas | $49,130 |
Virginia | $43,990 |
Wisconsin | $45,530 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- SAP
- Computerized numerical control CNC software
- Automated inventory software
How to Become a Drilling & Boring Machine Operator
Learn what Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Drilling & Boring Machine Operator?

Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders Sector

Below are examples of industries where Metal and Plastic Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders work:

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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