Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Forging Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic
Forging Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.
Table of contents
What they do
Forging Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.
- Read work orders or blueprints to determine specified tolerances and sequences of operations for machine setup.
- Position and move metal wires or workpieces through a series of dies that compress and shape stock to form die impressions.
- Measure and inspect machined parts to ensure conformance to product specifications.
- Set up, operate, or tend presses and forging machines to perform hot or cold forging by flattening, straightening, bending, cutting, piercing, or other operations to taper, shape, or form metal.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Forging Machine Operators remove dies from machines when production runs are finished. They confer with other workers about machine setups and operational specifications.
A typical day for a Forging Machine Setter, Operator and Tender, Metal and Plastic will also include:
- Select, align, and bolt positioning fixtures, stops, and specified dies to rams and anvils, forging rolls, or presses and hammers.
- Set up, operate, or tend presses and forging machines to perform hot or cold forging by flattening, straightening, bending, cutting, piercing, or other operations to taper, shape, or form metal.
- Install, adjust, and remove dies, synchronizing cams, forging hammers, and stop guides, using overhead cranes or other hoisting devices, and hand tools.
- Sharpen cutting tools and drill bits, using bench grinders.
- Trim and compress finished forgings to specified tolerances.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Forging Machine Operators also sharpen cutting tools and drill bits, using bench grinders. They may also repair, maintain, and replace parts on dies.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Forging Machine Operators position and move metal wires or workpieces through a series of dies that compress and shape stock to form die impressions. They might also turn handles or knobs to set pressures and depths of ram strokes and to synchronize machine operations.
In addition, they confer with other workers about machine setups and operational specifications.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them trim and compress finished forgings to specified tolerances.
To some Forging Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to remove dies from machines when production runs are finished.
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.
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 Forging Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $28,180 to $33,790 per year or $14 to $16 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $62,550 | $30 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $52,420 | $25 |
| Median | $41,430 | $20 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $33,790 | $16 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $28,180 | $14 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Forging Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch | $58460 | $28.11 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | $56800 | $27.31 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | $50160 | $24.12 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $46990 | $22.59 |
| Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing | $46950 | $22.57 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $45980 | $22.11 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | $43830 | $21.07 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $43030 | $20.69 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | $42570 | $20.47 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $42330 | $20.35 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Forging Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Forging 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 | 4090 | $42330 | $20.35 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 1480 | $45980 | $22.11 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 1470 | $36120 | $17.37 |
| Employment Services | 700 | $35820 | $17.22 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 670 | $50160 | $24.12 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 630 | $43030 | $20.69 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 550 | $40290 | $19.37 |
| Federal Executive Branch | 350 | $58460 | $28.11 |
| Foundries | 150 | $41710 | $20.05 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 140 | $46990 | $22.59 |
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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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