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Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Virginia

Want to work as a Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Virginia? 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.

$37,940 Median Annual Wage (Virginia)

$39,758 National Median Annual Wage

220 Virginia Employment

Some Preparation Needed Typical Preparation

What do Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Make in Virginia?

For lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic working in Virginia, the median annual wage is $37,940 per year (or roughly $18.24/hour).Pay can range from $35,730 at the 10th percentile to $47,580 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$35,730	$17.18
25th percentile	$36,300	$17.45
Median (50th)	$37,940	$18.24
75th percentile	$44,250	$21.27
90th percentile	$47,580	$22.88

Salary ranges for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic in Virginia

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Virginia relative to the national average — is 0.44, indicating fewer lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic per worker than the national average.

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), lower than the Virginia median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 709,023 lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic nationwide. In Virginia alone, about 220 people work in this role. That matches the typical state median of 220.

Forecasted number of jobs for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Top States for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Employment

View the states that employ 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

Where lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn the most: 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

The most important lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Operations Monitoring 3.5 / 5

Operation and Control 3.4 / 5

Equipment Maintenance 3.0 / 5

Active Listening 3.0 / 5

Monitoring 3.0 / 5

Reading Comprehension 3.0 / 5

Knowledge Areas

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

Production and Processing 4.0 / 5

Mechanical 3.6 / 5

Engineering and Technology 3.6 / 5

Education and Training 3.3 / 5

Administration and Management 3.3 / 5

Customer and Personal Service 3.3 / 5

Abilities

Top abilities for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.8 / 5

Control Precision 3.8 / 5

Near Vision 3.5 / 5

Finger Dexterity 3.2 / 5

Visualization 3.1 / 5

Oral Comprehension 3.1 / 5

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic typically:

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:

Precision Metal Working

Related occupations to lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic include:

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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