All About Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Milling & Planing Machine Operator Job Description Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
Daily Life Of a Milling & Planing Machine Operator
- Compute dimensions, tolerances, and angles of workpieces or machines, according to specifications and knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
- Make templates or cutting tools.
- Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
- Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
- Turn valves or pull levers to start and regulate the flow of coolant or lubricant to work areas.
- Mount attachments and tools, such as pantographs, engravers, or routers to perform other operations, such as drilling or boring.
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Things a Milling & Planing Machine Operator Should Know How to Do
When polled, Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Types of Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender
- Tool Shaper Setup Operator
- Directional Drill Operator
- Barrel Rifler
- Feed Mill Operator
- Broaching Machine Set Up Operator
Job Opportunities for Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
There were about 17,600 jobs for Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. The BLS estimates 1,300 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Milling & Planing Machine Operator are Arkansas, Louisiana, and Maryland. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Milling & Planing Machine Operator
The typical yearly salary for Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is somewhere between $26,210 and $63,400.
Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Tennessee, Connecticut, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $47,000 |
Arizona | $45,160 |
Arkansas | $44,440 |
California | $42,690 |
Colorado | $45,100 |
Connecticut | $55,780 |
Florida | $40,850 |
Georgia | $44,860 |
Idaho | $33,270 |
Illinois | $41,240 |
Indiana | $39,720 |
Iowa | $39,530 |
Kansas | $46,240 |
Kentucky | $42,290 |
Louisiana | $43,550 |
Maryland | $39,890 |
Massachusetts | $51,670 |
Michigan | $48,080 |
Minnesota | $42,130 |
Mississippi | $34,990 |
Missouri | $37,710 |
Nebraska | $40,090 |
New Hampshire | $36,120 |
New Jersey | $49,770 |
New York | $43,980 |
North Carolina | $36,650 |
Ohio | $45,710 |
Oklahoma | $34,060 |
Pennsylvania | $46,700 |
Rhode Island | $43,750 |
South Carolina | $31,370 |
Tennessee | $47,970 |
Texas | $40,230 |
Utah | $33,760 |
Vermont | $38,560 |
Virginia | $35,930 |
West Virginia | $40,710 |
Wisconsin | $43,060 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Extensible markup language XML
- Siemens PLM Software Solid Edge
- G code
- Mastercam
- SmartCAMcnc SmartCAM
- EditCNC
- M code
- Vero Software Alphacam
- Edgecam
Becoming a Milling & Planing Machine Operator
Individuals working as a Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become a Milling & Planing Machine Operator?
Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Sector
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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