Life As an Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender
Position Description Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products, such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.
Life As a Compacting Machine Operator: What Do They Do?
- Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
- Feed products into machines by hand or conveyor.
- Pour, scoop, or dump specified ingredients, metal assemblies, or mixtures into sections of machine prior to starting machines.
- Thread extruded strips through water tanks and hold-down bars, or attach strands to wires and draw them through tubes.
- Clean dies, arbors, compression chambers, and molds, using swabs, sponges, or air hoses.
- Review work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines.
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Skills Needed to be a Compacting Machine Operator
These are the skills Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Cigarette Maker
- Yardage Control Operator, Forming
- Hardboard Press Operator
- Center Machine Operator
- Bottle Machine Operator
Job Outlook for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
There were about 71,400 jobs for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 7,900 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Compacting Machine Operator are Rhode Island, Utah, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Delaware, Virginia, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Compacting Machine Operator Make?
The average yearly salary of a Compacting Machine Operator ranges between $24,070 and $52,840.

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Louisiana, Idaho, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.
How much do Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $38,970 |
Arizona | $33,720 |
Arkansas | $37,380 |
California | $36,390 |
Colorado | $36,490 |
Connecticut | $43,640 |
Delaware | $43,100 |
Florida | $34,930 |
Georgia | $35,750 |
Hawaii | $30,070 |
Idaho | $46,000 |
Illinois | $42,270 |
Indiana | $33,250 |
Iowa | $39,980 |
Kansas | $37,910 |
Kentucky | $38,510 |
Louisiana | $43,910 |
Maine | $35,850 |
Maryland | $43,680 |
Massachusetts | $37,090 |
Michigan | $35,190 |
Minnesota | $41,470 |
Mississippi | $32,590 |
Missouri | $38,630 |
Montana | $36,490 |
Nebraska | $39,580 |
Nevada | $34,310 |
New Hampshire | $34,470 |
New Jersey | $36,700 |
New Mexico | $33,900 |
New York | $41,110 |
North Carolina | $38,360 |
Ohio | $35,180 |
Oklahoma | $31,460 |
Oregon | $42,510 |
Pennsylvania | $38,770 |
Rhode Island | $34,430 |
South Carolina | $40,430 |
South Dakota | $34,780 |
Tennessee | $32,010 |
Texas | $31,500 |
Utah | $38,210 |
Vermont | $32,760 |
Virginia | $32,190 |
Washington | $43,350 |
Wisconsin | $37,260 |
What Tools do Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
How do I Become a Compacting Machine Operator?
Learn what Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Compacting Machine Operator?

Where do Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Work?

Below are examples of industries where Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders work:

Similar Careers
Career changers with experience as an Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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