Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
.jpg)
Extruding, Forming, Pressing and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders
Extruding, Forming, Pressing and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.
Table of contents
What they do
Extruding, Forming, Pressing and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.
- Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
- Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
- Activate machines to shape or form products, such as candy bars, light bulbs, balloons, or insulation panels.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Extruding Machine Operators feed products into machines by hand or conveyor. They synchronize speeds of sections of machines when producing products involving several steps or processes.
A typical day for an Extruding, Forming, Pressing and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator and Tender will also include:
- Pour, scoop, or dump specified ingredients, metal assemblies, or mixtures into sections of the machine prior to starting the machines.
- Ignite burners to preheat products, or use torches to apply heat.
- Review work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines.
- Swab molds with solutions to prevent products from sticking.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Extruding Machine Operators also install, align, and adjust neck rings, press plungers, and feeder tubes. They may also disassemble equipment to repair it or to replace parts, such as nozzles, punches, and filters.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Extruding Machine Operators remove molds, mold components, and feeder tubes from machinery after production is complete. They might also clean dies, arbors, compression chambers, and molds, using swabs, sponges, or air hoses.
In addition, they measure arbors and dies to verify sizes specified on work tickets.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them ignite burners to preheat products or use torches to apply heat.
To some Extruding Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to pour, scoop, or dump specified ingredients, metal assemblies, or mixtures into sections of the machine prior to starting machines.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
Demand for this career is declining.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Extruding, Forming, Pressing and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $25,830 to $29,780 per year or $12 to $14 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $55,300 | $27 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $46,010 | $22 |
| Median | $36,560 | $18 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $29,780 | $14 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $25,830 | $12 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Extruding, Forming, Pressing and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $55670 | $26.76 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | $51190 | $24.61 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $50540 | $24.30 |
| Tobacco Manufacturing | $46810 | $22.50 |
| Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing | $45430 | $21.84 |
| Other Food Manufacturing | $45380 | $21.82 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | $45090 | $21.68 |
| Beverage Manufacturing | $45080 | $21.67 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | $43270 | $20.80 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | $43270 | $20.80 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Extruding, Forming, Pressing and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Extruding, Forming, Pressing and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 14110 | $39640 | $19.06 |
| Rubber Product Manufacturing | 13190 | $37620 | $18.09 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 8700 | $36030 | $17.32 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 3790 | $41180 | $19.80 |
| Employment Services | 2920 | $31780 | $15.28 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 2260 | $39760 | $19.11 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 1680 | $34070 | $16.38 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 1480 | $38900 | $18.70 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | 1400 | $40000 | $19.23 |
| Animal Food Manufacturing | 1360 | $36080 | $17.35 |
.jpg)
What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Don’t know which career to pursue?
Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.
Take The Career Quiz
