Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
Table of contents
What they do
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
- Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
- Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
- Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
- Move cutters or material manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to mill workpieces to specifications.
Typical day
On a daily basis, CNC Mill Operators study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations. They record production output.
A typical day for a Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator and Tender, Metal and Plastic will also include:
- Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
- Compute dimensions, tolerances, and angles of workpieces or machines according to specifications and knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
- Turn valves or pull levers to start and regulate the flow of coolant or lubricant to work areas.
- Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
- Observe milling or planning machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, CNC Mill Operators also make templates or cutting tools. They may also mount attachments and tools, such as pantographs, engravers, or routers, to perform other operations, such as drilling or boring.
On a weekly to monthly basis, CNC Mill Operators replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders. They might also turn valves or pull levers to start and regulate the flow of coolant or lubricant to work areas.
In addition, they select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them observe milling or planning machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
To some CNC Mill Operators, it is also their responsibility to study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations.
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 not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
Salary is below average.
Demand for this career is declining.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $28,270 to $34,340 per year or $14 to $17 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $64,150 | $31 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $52,520 | $25 |
| Median | $43,150 | $21 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $34,340 | $17 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $28,270 | $14 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $60750 | $29.21 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $52290 | $25.14 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | $50920 | $24.48 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | $49350 | $23.72 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | $47620 | $22.89 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | $47240 | $22.71 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $47030 | $22.61 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | $46570 | $22.39 |
| Ship and Boat Building | $45290 | $21.78 |
| Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing | $44610 | $21.45 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders, Metal and Plastic work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Milling and Planing Machine 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 | 2020 | $47030 | $22.61 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 1380 | $60750 | $29.21 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 1100 | $40410 | $19.43 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 930 | $50920 | $24.48 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 910 | $43590 | $20.96 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 770 | $43290 | $20.81 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 760 | $46570 | $22.39 |
| Employment Services | 740 | $33700 | $16.20 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 740 | $42870 | $20.61 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 510 | $40580 | $19.51 |
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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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