Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
Table of contents
What they do
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
- Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
- Review work orders, blueprints, specifications, or job samples to determine components, settings, and adjustments for cutting and slicing machines.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices, such as rulers, micrometers, or scales.
- Press buttons, pull levers or depress pedals to start and operate cutting and slicing machines.
Typical day
On a daily basis, CNC Operators press buttons, pull levers or depress pedals to start and operate cutting and slicing machines. They feedstock into cutting machines, onto conveyors, or under cutting blades, by threading, guiding, pushing, or turning handwheels.
A typical day for a Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender will also include:
- Remove completed materials or products from cutting or slicing machines, and stack or store them for additional processing.
- Turn cranks or press buttons to activate winches that move cars under sawing cables or saw frames.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices, such as rulers, micrometers, or scales.
- Move stock or scrap to and from machines manually, or by using carts, hand trucks, or lift trucks.
- Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, CNC Operators also change or replace saw blades, cables, cutter heads, and grinding wheels, using hand tools. They may also position width gauge blocks between blades, and level blades and insert wedges into frames to secure blades to frames.
On a weekly to monthly basis, CNC Operators start pumps to circulate water and abrasives onto blades or cables during cutting. They might also Cut stock manually to prepare for machine cutting, using tools such as knives, cleavers, handsaws, or hammers and chisels.
In addition, they clean and lubricate cutting machines, conveyors, blades, saws, or knives, using steam hoses, scrapers, brushes, or oil cans.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them sharpen cutting blades, knives, or saws, using files, bench grinders, or honing stones.
To some CNC Operators, it is also their responsibility to wash stones, using water hoses.
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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.
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.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
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 Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $26,230 to $30,290 per year or $13 to $15 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $52,650 | $25 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $45,470 | $22 |
| Median | $36,980 | $18 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $30,290 | $15 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $26,230 | $13 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | $51570 | $24.79 |
| Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | $47620 | $22.89 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | $47290 | $22.74 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $47200 | $22.69 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | $46230 | $22.23 |
| Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | $46200 | $22.21 |
| Food and Beverage Stores | $44060 | $21.18 |
| Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | $43470 | $20.90 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | $43120 | $20.73 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $41740 | $20.07 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 11400 | $38620 | $18.57 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 8380 | $41490 | $19.95 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | 4500 | $37890 | $18.22 |
| Rubber Product Manufacturing | 4000 | $38250 | $18.39 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 3760 | $34920 | $16.79 |
| Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 2780 | $35260 | $16.95 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 1470 | $47290 | $22.74 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | 1290 | $39760 | $19.11 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 1210 | $36580 | $17.59 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 1040 | $36060 | $17.34 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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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.
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