Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal And Plastic
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal And Plastic set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
Table of contents
What they do
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal And Plastic set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
- Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.
- Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensionally or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
- Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.
- Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.
Typical day
On a daily basis, CNC Drilling Operators verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges. They lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces.
A typical day for a Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator and Tender, Metal and Plastic will also include:
- Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensionally or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
- Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems.
- Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.
- Install tools in spindles.
- Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over-hole locations.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, CNC Drilling Operators also sharpen cutting tools, using bench grinders. They may also operate tracing attachments to duplicate contours from templates or models.
On a weekly to monthly basis, CNC Drilling Operators verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles. They might also layout reference lines and machining locations on work, using layout tools, and applying knowledge of shop math and layout techniques.
In addition, they perform minor assembly, such as fastening parts with nuts, bolts, or screws, using power tools or hand tools.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them operate single- or multiple-spindle drill presses to bore holes so that machining operations can be performed on metal or plastic workpieces.
To some CNC Drilling Operators, it is also their responsibility to position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
61% said they were satisfied with their job and 53% 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.
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 Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal And Plastic with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $27,300 to $32,310 per year or $13 to $16 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $63,320 | $30 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $51,050 | $25 |
| Median | $39,780 | $19 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $32,310 | $16 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $27,300 | $13 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal And Plastic based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $66130 | $31.79 |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $60040 | $28.87 |
| Ship and Boat Building | $57200 | $27.50 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | $56960 | $27.39 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $52460 | $25.22 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | $47460 | $22.82 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | $46450 | $22.33 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | $45140 | $21.70 |
| Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | $44400 | $21.34 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $42910 | $20.63 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal And Plastic work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Drilling and Boring 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 | 1530 | $42910 | $20.63 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 1140 | $46450 | $22.33 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 990 | $39770 | $19.12 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 830 | $36810 | $17.70 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 470 | $40220 | $19.34 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 320 | $42270 | $20.32 |
| Employment Services | 310 | $38490 | $18.51 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 300 | $35720 | $17.18 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 300 | $35550 | $17.09 |
| Foundries | 280 | $42890 | $20.62 |
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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 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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