What Do Milling And Planing Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic Do

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

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

Salary
$44920
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

  • Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
  • Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
  • Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
  • Move cutters or material manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to mill workpieces to specifications.

Typical day

On a daily basis, CNC Mill Operators study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations. They record production output.

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

  • Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
  • Compute dimensions, tolerances, and angles of workpieces or machines according to specifications and knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
  • Turn valves or pull levers to start and regulate the flow of coolant or lubricant to work areas.
  • Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
  • Observe milling or planning machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, CNC Mill Operators also make templates or cutting tools. They may also mount attachments and tools, such as pantographs, engravers, or routers, to perform other operations, such as drilling or boring.

On a weekly to monthly basis, CNC Mill Operators replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders. They might also turn valves or pull levers to start and regulate the flow of coolant or lubricant to work areas.

In addition, they select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them observe milling or planning machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.

To some CNC Mill Operators, it is also their responsibility to study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations.

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.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

It is not too difficult to get into this career. 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.

How much do they make

Average salary

$44920 per year

Average hourly wage

$22 per hour

Entry-level Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $28,270 to $34,340 per year or $14 to $17 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $64,150 $31
Senior (Top 25%) $52,520 $25
Median $43,150 $21
Junior (Bottom 25%) $34,340 $17
No experience (Bottom 10%) $28,270 $14

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

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing $60750 $29.21
Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing $52290 $25.14
Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing $50920 $24.48
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing $49350 $23.72
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing $47620 $22.89
Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing $47240 $22.71
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing $47030 $22.61
Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel $46570 $22.39
Ship and Boat Building $45290 $21.78
Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing $44610 $21.45

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Milling and Planing Machine 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 2020 $47030 $22.61
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing 1380 $60750 $29.21
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 1100 $40410 $19.43
Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing 930 $50920 $24.48
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 910 $43590 $20.96
Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing 770 $43290 $20.81
Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel 760 $46570 $22.39
Employment Services 740 $33700 $16.20
Machinery Manufacturing 740 $42870 $20.61
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 510 $40580 $19.51

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
70%

More than 40 hours
31%

Working schedule

76%

24%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
9%

Every day
26%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
20%

Every day
19%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
13%

Every day
78%

Public speaking

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

Never
60%

Once a year
24%

Once a month
15%

Once a week
0%

Every day
1%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
7%

Slightly competitive
19%

Moderately competitive
41%

Highly competitive
33%

Extremely competitive
0%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
46%

Once a year or more
14%

Once a month or more
1%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
39%

Warehouse-style environment

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

Never
31%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
69%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
85%

Once a year or more
14%

Once a month or more
1%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

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

Never
98%

Once a year or more
1%

Once a month or more
1%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

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
16%

High School Diploma or equivalent
50%

Post-Secondary Certificate
1%

Some College Courses
26%

Associate’s Degree or similar
2%

Bachelor’s Degree
4%

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
34%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
9%

3 to 6 months
8%

6 months to 1 year
25%

1 to 2 years
15%

2 to 4 years
3%

4 to 6 years
1%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
4%

On The Job Training

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

None or short demonstration
1%

1 month
29%

1 to 3 months
29%

3 to 6 months
12%

6 months to 1 year
14%

1 to 2 years
17%

2 to 4 years
0%

4 to 10 years
0%

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
24%

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
24%

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


The Organizer
48%

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
33%

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
40%

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
33%

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
76%

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
38%

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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Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.

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