What Do Cutting, Punching and Press Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Do

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

Cutting, Punching and Press Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Cutting, Punching and Press Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

Salary
$38650
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Cutting, Punching and Press Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

  • Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces, and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
  • Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
  • Set stops on machine beds, change dies and adjust components, such as rams or power presses, when making multiple or successive passes.
  • Start machines, monitor their operations and record operational data.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Cutting Machine Operators clean the work area. They clean and lubricate machines.

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

  • Mark identifying data on workpieces.
  • Plan sequences of operations, applying knowledge of physical properties of workpiece materials.
  • Position, align, and secure workpieces against fixtures or stops on machine beds or on dies.
  • Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines.
  • Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Cutting Machine Operators also hone cutters with oilstones to remove nicks. They may also remove housings, feed tubes, tool holders, or other accessories to replace worn or broken parts, such as springs or bushings.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Cutting Machine Operators grind out burrs or sharp edges, using portable grinders, speed lathes, or polishing jacks. They might also preheat workpieces, using heating furnaces or hand torches.

In addition, they replace defective blades or wheels, using hand tools.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them sharpen dulled blades, using bench grinders, abrasive wheels, or lathes.

To some Cutting Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to scribe reference lines on workpieces as guides for cutting operations, according to blueprints, templates, sample parts, or specifications.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

51% said they were satisfied with their job and 39% said they found their job meaningful.


Pros

Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive 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

$38650 per year

Average hourly wage

$19 per hour

Entry-level Cutting, Punching and Press Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $26,400 to $30,440 per year or $13 to $15 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $54,630 $26
Senior (Top 25%) $45,630 $22
Median $36,980 $18
Junior (Bottom 25%) $30,440 $15
No experience (Bottom 10%) $26,400 $13

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

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing $56800 $27.31
Ship and Boat Building $45410 $21.83
Other Specialty Trade Contractors $44420 $21.36
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing $42900 $20.62
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing $42690 $20.52
Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing $42280 $20.33
Building Equipment Contractors $42110 $20.24
Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing $41820 $20.11
Household Appliance Manufacturing $41610 $20.00
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing $41590 $19.99

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Cutting, Punching and Press Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Cutting, Punching and Press 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 28060 $37060 $17.82
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 25350 $39020 $18.76
Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing 24260 $40970 $19.70
Plastics Product Manufacturing 12730 $36670 $17.63
Machinery Manufacturing 11080 $38960 $18.73
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 9670 $38700 $18.61
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing 7250 $37550 $18.05
Employment Services 6240 $32200 $15.48
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing 5720 $36370 $17.48
Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing 5000 $37990 $18.27

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
2%

40 hours
63%

More than 40 hours
34%

Working schedule

77%

21%

3%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
7%

Every day
3%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
10%

Every day
12%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
16%

Every day
62%

Public speaking

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

Never
77%

Once a year
8%

Once a month
0%

Once a week
9%

Every day
6%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
40%

Slightly competitive
18%

Moderately competitive
21%

Highly competitive
14%

Extremely competitive
7%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
60%

Once a year or more
5%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
2%

Every day
34%

Warehouse-style environment

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

Never
24%

Once a year or more
6%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
12%

Every day
58%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
74%

Once a year or more
13%

Once a month or more
5%

Once a week or more
6%

Every day
3%

Outdoors – Under Cover

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

Never
84%

Once a year or more
7%

Once a month or more
5%

Once a week or more
5%

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
9%

High School Diploma or equivalent
67%

Post-Secondary Certificate
16%

Some College Courses
7%

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.

Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to form, shape, bend and fold extruded metals, including the creation of new products, using hand tools and machines such as cornice brakes, forming rolls, and squaring shears.

Relevant work experience

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

None
21%

1 month
3%

1 to 3 months
11%

3 to 6 months
1%

6 months to 1 year
11%

1 to 2 years
24%

2 to 4 years
19%

4 to 6 years
9%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
1%

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
12%

1 month
11%

1 to 3 months
30%

3 to 6 months
7%

6 months to 1 year
8%

1 to 2 years
19%

2 to 4 years
11%

4 to 10 years
2%

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
33%

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


The Organizer
76%

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
38%

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
36%

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
62%

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
62%

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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