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Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Pennsylvania
Considering working as a Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Pennsylvania? Here’s what the data says. 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.
What do Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Make in Pennsylvania?
For a lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic working in Pennsylvania, the median annual wage is $58,910 per year (or roughly $28.32/hour).Earnings range from $41,880 at the 10th percentile to $69,270 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41,880 | $20.14 |
| 25th percentile | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Median (50th) | $58,910 | $28.32 |
| 75th percentile | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| 90th percentile | $69,270 | $33.31 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Pennsylvania nationwide is 1.02.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn a median of $39,758 per year ($19.11/hour), above the Pennsylvania median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 709,023 lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic across the United States. In Pennsylvania alone, around 760 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 220 lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.
Top Pennsylvania Metros for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
These are the Pennsylvania metros with the most lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Pennsylvania.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | 330 | $64,410 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 120 | $57,790 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 60 | $48,690 |
| Lancaster, PA | 30 | $51,580 |
Top States for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Employment
The table below shows the states where the most lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 2,330 |
| Texas | 2,100 |
| Michigan | 1,750 |
| Ohio | 1,500 |
| Illinois | 1,430 |
| Indiana | 1,250 |
| Tennessee | 1,060 |
| Connecticut | 800 |
| New York | 790 |
| Pennsylvania | 760 |
| North Carolina | 460 |
| Massachusetts | 420 |
| Wisconsin | 410 |
| Florida | 360 |
| Arizona | 260 |
| New Jersey | 230 |
| Missouri | 230 |
| Arkansas | 220 |
| Virginia | 220 |
| Iowa | 220 |
Highest-Paying States for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
These states pay the most for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Maine | $62,120 |
| Colorado | $59,850 |
| Massachusetts | $59,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,910 |
| Washington | $57,840 |
| Minnesota | $57,820 |
| Nebraska | $57,640 |
| Utah | $57,500 |
| New Jersey | $55,810 |
| Maryland | $55,680 |
Skills
Key lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
- Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.
- Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.
- Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
- Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
- Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.
- Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
- Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
- Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments.
- Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met.
- Program computer numerical control machines.
- Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines.
Work Activities
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Working with Computers
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Training and Teaching Others
- Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
- Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Thinking Creatively
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved:
- Autodesk HSMWorks (industrial control software)
- Computer numerical control CNC editor software (industrial control software)
- G-code (object or component oriented development software)
- Inventory tracking software (inventory management software)
- M-code (object or component oriented development software)
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
Related Careers
Other careers like lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic include:
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also Known As
Automatic Screwmaker, Automatic Spinning Lathe Operator, Automatic Spinning Lathe Setter, Axle Turner, Back Facer, Balance Recesser, Balance Wheel Facer, Bar Pointer, Bar Turner, Barrel Finisher, Barrel Turner, Bell Spinner, Bevel Mill Operator, Bevel Operator, Bolt Threader.
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: 51-4034.00
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