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Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: Job Description
Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.
What Tasks Do Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Take On?
The core tasks performed by multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic span:
- Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments.
- Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists.
- Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences.
- Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.
- Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary.
- Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, cutters, shears, borers, millers, grinders, presses, drills, or auxiliary machines, to make metallic and plastic workpieces.
- Change worn machine accessories, such as cutting tools or brushes, using hand tools.
- Set machine stops or guides to specified lengths as indicated by scales, rules, or templates.
Skills and Knowledge
Effective multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
These are the skills most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Related Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Automatic Wheel-Line Operator
- Ballistics Laboratory Gunsmith
- CNC Machine Setter (Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Setter)
- Cell Technician
- Centrifugal Control Switch Machine Operator
- Clock Machine Setter
- Combination Machine Tool Operator
- Combination Machine Tool Setter
Employment and Demand
There are about 86,165 multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +9.3% over the projection horizon.
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $55,961 |
| Hourly median | $26.90 |
| 10th percentile | $40,583 |
| 25th percentile | $48,272 |
| 75th percentile | $63,651 |
| 90th percentile | $71,340 |
Wages vary widely based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| West Virginia | $73,690 |
| North Dakota | $62,400 |
| Missouri | $58,210 |
| Maryland | $57,800 |
| Washington | $57,080 |
| South Dakota | $50,870 |
| Colorado | $50,800 |
| New York | $49,600 |
| Idaho | $49,590 |
| Kentucky | $49,570 |
| Texas | $48,940 |
| Iowa | $48,610 |
| Virginia | $48,260 |
| Illinois | $48,210 |
| Minnesota | $47,640 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,530 |
| Vermont | $47,360 |
| Nebraska | $47,250 |
| Wisconsin | $46,680 |
| Louisiana | $46,490 |
| North Carolina | $46,490 |
| Oregon | $46,020 |
| Tennessee | $45,870 |
| California | $45,610 |
| South Carolina | $45,500 |
| Kansas | $44,850 |
| Massachusetts | $44,740 |
| Arkansas | $44,710 |
| Oklahoma | $44,570 |
| Maine | $44,080 |
| Indiana | $43,810 |
| Ohio | $43,600 |
| New Hampshire | $43,010 |
| Michigan | $42,350 |
| Utah | $40,180 |
| Wyoming | $39,950 |
| Connecticut | $39,890 |
| Florida | $39,670 |
| Arizona | $39,580 |
| Nevada | $39,040 |
| Rhode Island | $38,280 |
| Georgia | $37,770 |
| New Jersey | $37,490 |
| Alabama | $35,880 |
| New Mexico | $35,220 |
| Mississippi | $33,700 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,640 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Pay for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic vary by region. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plains States | $52,430 | 11.5% | 2.19 |
| Southwest | $47,400 | 13.2% | 1.14 |
| Far Western US | $46,912 | 4.7% | 0.42 |
| Middle Atlantic | $46,474 | 13.0% | 1.16 |
| Great Lakes | $44,325 | 29.3% | 2.28 |
| Southeast | $43,787 | 21.4% | 1.62 |
| Rocky Mountains | $43,005 | 1.8% | 0.82 |
| New England | $41,874 | 4.6% | 1.19 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | TX | $77,520 | 5,530 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | MO | $76,950 | |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | MI | $68,850 | 650 |
| Sandusky, OH | OH | $64,240 | 160 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | ND | $63,870 | |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | MD | $59,980 | 150 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | WA | $58,970 | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | IA | $58,520 | 280 |
Which Industries Hire Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Most multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 105,600 | $47,550 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 16,530 | $36,200 |
| Wholesale Trade | 4,670 | $46,590 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 740 | $48,150 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 340 | $29,100 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 260 | $49,850 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 250 | $64,310 |
| Construction | 140 | $54,500 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tech Stack
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Operating system software: Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The work environment for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Time Pressure
- Spend Time Standing
Getting Started in This Career
Most multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics (Primary-Long)
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery (Supplemental)
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Supplemental)
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Supplemental)
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Primary-Long)
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Primary-Long)
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Supplemental)
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Primary-Short)
Where to Study
Aspiring multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic commonly pursue programs in:
Precision Production
2 programs across 1 majors
Sources
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 51-4081.00 (Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic).
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