What Do Forging Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic Do

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Forging Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic

Forging Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.

Salary
$43480
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Forging Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.

  • Read work orders or blueprints to determine specified tolerances and sequences of operations for machine setup.
  • Position and move metal wires or workpieces through a series of dies that compress and shape stock to form die impressions.
  • Measure and inspect machined parts to ensure conformance to product specifications.
  • Set up, operate, or tend presses and forging machines to perform hot or cold forging by flattening, straightening, bending, cutting, piercing, or other operations to taper, shape, or form metal.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Forging Machine Operators remove dies from machines when production runs are finished. They confer with other workers about machine setups and operational specifications.

A typical day for a Forging Machine Setter, Operator and Tender, Metal and Plastic will also include:

  • Select, align, and bolt positioning fixtures, stops, and specified dies to rams and anvils, forging rolls, or presses and hammers.
  • Set up, operate, or tend presses and forging machines to perform hot or cold forging by flattening, straightening, bending, cutting, piercing, or other operations to taper, shape, or form metal.
  • Install, adjust, and remove dies, synchronizing cams, forging hammers, and stop guides, using overhead cranes or other hoisting devices, and hand tools.
  • Sharpen cutting tools and drill bits, using bench grinders.
  • Trim and compress finished forgings to specified tolerances.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Forging Machine Operators also sharpen cutting tools and drill bits, using bench grinders. They may also repair, maintain, and replace parts on dies.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Forging Machine Operators position and move metal wires or workpieces through a series of dies that compress and shape stock to form die impressions. They might also turn handles or knobs to set pressures and depths of ram strokes and to synchronize machine operations.

In addition, they confer with other workers about machine setups and operational specifications.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them trim and compress finished forgings to specified tolerances.

To some Forging Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to remove dies from machines when production runs are finished.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

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

$43480 per year

Average hourly wage

$21 per hour

Entry-level Forging Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $28,180 to $33,790 per year or $14 to $16 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $62,550 $30
Senior (Top 25%) $52,420 $25
Median $41,430 $20
Junior (Bottom 25%) $33,790 $16
No experience (Bottom 10%) $28,180 $14

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Forging Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Federal Executive Branch $58460 $28.11
Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing $56800 $27.31
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing $50160 $24.12
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing $46990 $22.59
Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing $46950 $22.57
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing $45980 $22.11
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing $43830 $21.07
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing $43030 $20.69
Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel $42570 $20.47
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing $42330 $20.35

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Forging Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Forging Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 4090 $42330 $20.35
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing 1480 $45980 $22.11
Plastics Product Manufacturing 1470 $36120 $17.37
Employment Services 700 $35820 $17.22
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing 670 $50160 $24.12
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 630 $43030 $20.69
Machinery Manufacturing 550 $40290 $19.37
Federal Executive Branch 350 $58460 $28.11
Foundries 150 $41710 $20.05
Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing 140 $46950 $22.57

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
26%

More than 40 hours
74%

Working schedule

94%

0%

7%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
10%

Every day
17%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
18%

Every day
27%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
7%

Every day
83%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
32%

Once a year
13%

Once a month
13%

Once a week
32%

Every day
10%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
15%

Slightly competitive
17%

Moderately competitive
41%

Highly competitive
11%

Extremely competitive
16%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
57%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
11%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
33%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
33%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
67%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
65%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
19%

Once a week or more
10%

Every day
5%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
78%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
17%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
5%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Easy
You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category usually don’t require a degree. However, you will need a few months of on-the-job training with experienced employees. Similar careers include Customer Service Representatives, Security Guards, and Bank Tellers.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
18%

High School Diploma or equivalent
82%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
0%

Associate’s Degree or similar
0%

Bachelor’s Degree
0%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Machine Tool Technology/Machinist

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to plan, manufacture, assemble, test, and repair parts, mechanisms, machines, and structures in which materials are cast, formed, shaped, molded, heat treated, cut, twisted, pressed, fused, stamped or worked.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
35%

1 month
11%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
9%

6 months to 1 year
15%

1 to 2 years
5%

2 to 4 years
20%

4 to 6 years
5%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
3%

1 month
11%

1 to 3 months
22%

3 to 6 months
17%

6 months to 1 year
12%

1 to 2 years
25%

2 to 4 years
5%

4 to 10 years
5%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

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.

The Builder
100%

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.


The Thinker
48%

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.


The Artist
14%

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.


The Helper
14%

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.


The Leader
29%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
62%

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?

Achievement
29%

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.

Working Conditions
38%

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.

Recognition
29%

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.

Relationships
48%

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.

Support
71%

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.

Independence
29%

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.

FAQ


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