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Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender

What You Need to Know About Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender

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.

Life As a Milling & Planing Machine Operator

  • Move cutters or material manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to mill workpieces to specifications.
  • Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders.
  • Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments, such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
  • Record production output.
  • Make templates or cutting tools.
  • Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.

What Every Milling & Planing Machine Operator Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders say are important on the job.

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

  • Lever Miller
  • Manufacturing Assistant
  • Scribing Machine Operator
  • Profiler Operator
  • Plastic Thread Milling Machine Setup Operator

Is There Going to be Demand for Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 17,600 jobs in the United States for Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. 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.

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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.

Do Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Make A Lot Of Money?

Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make between $26,210 and $63,400 a year.

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Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Tennessee, Connecticut, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

How much do Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make 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

What Tools do Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Use?

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

What kind of Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender requirements are there?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Other Jobs You May 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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