All About Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Career Description Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials, such as liquid polymer, rayon, and fiberglass.
Extruding & Forming Machine Operator Responsibilities
- Pass sliver strands through openings in floors to workers on floors below who wind slivers onto tubes.
- Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form filaments from synthetic materials such as rayon, fiberglass, or liquid polymers.
- Observe machine operations, control boards, and gauges to detect malfunctions such as clogged bushings and defective binder applicators.
- Remove excess, entangled, or completed filaments from machines, using hand tools.
- Pull extruded fiberglass filaments over sleeves where binding solution is applied, and into grooves of graphite shoes that bind filaments into single strands of sliver.
- Record operational data on tags, and attach tags to machines.
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Skills Needed to be an Extruding & Forming Machine Operator
Extruding and Forming 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.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Types of Extruding & Forming Machine Operator Jobs
- Spindraw Operator
- Spinning Bath Patroller
- Extrusion Process Operator
- Surface Mount Technology Operator
- Extrusion Technician
Job Opportunities for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
There were about 20,200 jobs for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders. The BLS estimates 2,100 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Extruding & Forming Machine Operator are Utah, Iowa, and Minnesota. Watch out if you plan on working in North Carolina, Maine, or Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Extruding & Forming Machine Operator Salary
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make between $24,240 and $50,100 a year.

Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Pennsylvania, Missouri, or Kentucky, make the highest salaries.
How much do Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $34,840 |
Arkansas | $34,340 |
California | $36,650 |
Connecticut | $36,910 |
Florida | $41,420 |
Georgia | $33,390 |
Illinois | $35,460 |
Indiana | $31,730 |
Kansas | $40,290 |
Kentucky | $40,370 |
Louisiana | $37,530 |
Massachusetts | $35,700 |
Michigan | $32,730 |
Mississippi | $34,140 |
Missouri | $41,290 |
North Carolina | $35,130 |
Ohio | $38,420 |
Oklahoma | $36,030 |
Pennsylvania | $46,040 |
South Carolina | $37,380 |
Tennessee | $40,230 |
Texas | $33,280 |
Virginia | $37,780 |
Washington | $34,430 |
West Virginia | $30,780 |
Wisconsin | $37,630 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders:
- Microsoft Excel
- Statistical process control SPC software
How to Become an Extruding & Forming Machine Operator
What education or degrees do I need to become an Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

What work experience do I need to become an Extruding & Forming Machine Operator?

Who Employs Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

The table below shows the approximate number of Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders employed by various industries.

Related Careers
Those who work as an Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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