Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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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.
Table of contents
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.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
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
Average hourly wage
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 |
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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
Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking
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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