---

Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers in Tennessee

Thinking about a career as an Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers in Tennessee? Here’s what the data says. Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials, such as liquid polymer, rayon, and fiberglass.

What do Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers Make in Tennessee?

For a extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers working in Tennessee, wages run about $45,060 per year (or about $21.66/hour).Annual wages span from $35,580 at the 10th percentile to $56,010 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$35,580	$17.11
25th percentile	$39,480	$18.98
Median (50th)	$45,060	$21.66
75th percentile	$56,010	$26.93
90th percentile	$56,010	$26.93

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Tennessee nationwide is 1.16, meaning that extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers earn a median of $35,119 per year ($16.88/hour), higher than the Tennessee median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 363,848 extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers across the United States. In Tennessee alone, approximately 370 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 330 extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers.

Top Tennessee Metros for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers

The largest metro-area employers of extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers in Tennessee.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Chattanooga, TN-GA	300	$49,960
Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA	50	$45,100
Johnson City, TN	40	$41,930

Top States for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers Employment

These states have the highest employment of extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers work.

State	Number Employed
Georgia	2,770
North Carolina	2,530
South Carolina	2,070
Texas	1,320
Virginia	830
Alabama	650
Ohio	390
Tennessee	370
Kansas	350
California	330
Michigan	320
Pennsylvania	260
Rhode Island	210
New York	180
Kentucky	130
West Virginia	130
Wisconsin	100
Iowa	100
Missouri	90
Maryland	70

Highest-Paying States for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers

These states pay the most for extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers.

State	Annual Median Salary
Ohio	$65,130
Alabama	$58,150
Minnesota	$51,310
Maryland	$49,190
Wisconsin	$48,700
Kansas	$48,530
Pennsylvania	$48,200
Rhode Island	$47,490
California	$47,310
Missouri	$47,270

Skills

Key extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers typically:

• Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form filaments from synthetic materials such as rayon, fiberglass, or liquid polymers.
• Press buttons to stop machines when processes are complete or when malfunctions are detected.
• Notify other workers of defects, and direct them to adjust extruding and forming machines.
• Observe machine operations, control boards, and gauges to detect malfunctions such as clogged bushings and defective binder applicators.
• Load materials into extruding and forming machines, using hand tools, and adjust feed mechanisms to set feed rates.
• Move controls to activate and adjust extruding and forming machines.
• Record details of machine malfunctions.
• Clean and maintain extruding and forming machines, using hand tools.
• Observe flow of finish across finish rollers, and turn valves to adjust flow to specifications.
• Remove polymer deposits from spinnerettes and equipment, using silicone spray, brass chisels, and bronze-wool pads.
• Press metering-pump buttons and turn valves to stop flow of polymers.
• Record operational data on tags, and attach tags to machines.

Work Activities

• Getting Information
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Processing Information
• Documenting/Recording Information

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

Related Careers

Related occupations to extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers include:

• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
• Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Also Known As

Beamer Operator, Beaming Machine Operator, Blown Film Extrusion Operator, Box Spinner, Drawbench Operator, Extruder, Extruder Operator, Extrusion Line Operator, Extrusion Machine Operator, Extrusion Operator, Extrusion Process Operator, Extrusion Technician, Fiber Machine Tender, Fiberglass Dowel Drawing Operator, Granulator.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-6091.00