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Life As a Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender
Example of Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator Job Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
A Day in the Life of a Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator
- Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.
- Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met.
- Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
- Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.
- Turn valve handles to direct the flow of coolant onto work areas or to coat disks with spinning compounds.
- Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.
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Skills Needed to be a Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator
Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool 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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
Related Job Titles
- Bell Spinner
- Gear Hobber
- Small Lot Operator
- Optical Lathe Operator
- Hobbing Machine Operator
Job Outlook for Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders
In the United States, there were 33,700 jobs for Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender. The BLS estimates 2,900 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator are Alabama, Utah, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Delaware, West Virginia, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary
The typical yearly salary for Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders is somewhere between $26,000 and $59,960.
Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Massachusetts, Oregon, or Arizona, make the highest salaries.
How much do Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,440 |
| Arizona | $47,100 |
| Arkansas | $36,310 |
| California | $40,280 |
| Colorado | $34,110 |
| Connecticut | $46,110 |
| Florida | $37,560 |
| Georgia | $36,310 |
| Illinois | $42,540 |
| Indiana | $41,180 |
| Iowa | $41,340 |
| Kansas | $39,560 |
| Kentucky | $43,950 |
| Louisiana | $43,650 |
| Maine | $33,760 |
| Maryland | $36,060 |
| Massachusetts | $50,760 |
| Michigan | $38,830 |
| Minnesota | $41,440 |
| Mississippi | $34,760 |
| Missouri | $42,720 |
| Montana | $31,790 |
| Nebraska | $39,500 |
| Nevada | $41,430 |
| New Hampshire | $38,980 |
| New Jersey | $44,030 |
| New York | $40,720 |
| North Carolina | $47,200 |
| Ohio | $40,190 |
| Oklahoma | $41,100 |
| Oregon | $54,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,390 |
| Rhode Island | $44,830 |
| South Carolina | $45,310 |
| South Dakota | $37,310 |
| Tennessee | $36,040 |
| Texas | $40,200 |
| Utah | $47,130 |
| Vermont | $38,570 |
| Virginia | $38,470 |
| Washington | $45,070 |
| West Virginia | $42,270 |
| Wisconsin | $41,710 |
What Tools & Technology do Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders:
- Inventory tracking software
- G-code
- M-code
- Autodesk HSMWorks
How do I Become a Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator?
Individuals working as a Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender have obtained the following education levels:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator?
Where Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders Work
The table below shows the approximate number of Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
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