Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
Table of contents
What they do
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
- Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
- Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
- Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
- Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met.
Typical day
On a daily basis, CNC Lathe Operators refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines. They replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
A typical day for a Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator and Tender, Metal and Plastic will also include:
- Turn valve handles to direct the flow of coolant onto work areas or to coat disks with spinning compounds.
- Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.
- Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
- Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
- Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, CNC Lathe Operators also mount attachments, such as relieving or tracing attachments, to perform operations, such as duplicating contours of templates or trimming workpieces. They may also turn valve handles to direct the flow of coolant onto work areas or to coat disks with spinning compounds.
On a weekly to monthly basis, CNC Lathe Operators refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines. They might also install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.
In addition, they move tool holders manually or by turning handwheels or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
To some CNC Lathe Operators, it is also their responsibility to move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
35% said they were satisfied with their job and 32% 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.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
Salary is below average.
Demand for this career is declining.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $28,020 to $33,690 per year or $13 to $16 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $61,710 | $30 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $50,840 | $24 |
| Median | $41,380 | $20 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $33,690 | $16 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $28,020 | $13 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | $57510 | $27.65 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | $53920 | $25.92 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | $52740 | $25.36 |
| Communications Equipment Manufacturing | $51210 | $24.62 |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $51130 | $24.58 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $50550 | $24.30 |
| Foundries | $50200 | $24.13 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | $48660 | $23.39 |
| Household Appliance Manufacturing | $46660 | $22.43 |
| Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | $46430 | $22.32 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 8010 | $41210 | $19.81 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 3920 | $41900 | $20.14 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 2580 | $44660 | $21.47 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 1270 | $41610 | $20.01 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 1090 | $43240 | $20.79 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 1080 | $50550 | $24.30 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 590 | $52740 | $25.36 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 540 | $41200 | $19.81 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 450 | $44420 | $21.35 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 420 | $45230 | $21.74 |
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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
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist
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 working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
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.
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