Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.
Table of contents
What they do
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.
- Monitor machine cycles and mill operation to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications.
- Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects.
- Start operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips.
- Examine, inspect, and measure raw materials and finished products to verify conformance to specifications.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Rolling Machine Operators start the operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips. They monitor machine cycles and mill operations to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications.
A typical day for a Rolling Machine Setter, Operator and Tender, Metal and Plastic will also include:
- Thread or feed sheets or rods through rolling mechanisms, or start and control mechanisms that automatically feed steel into rollers.
- Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects.
- Record mill production on schedule sheets.
- Examine, inspect, and measure raw materials and finished products to verify conformance to specifications.
- Signal and assist other workers to remove and position equipment, fill hoppers, and feed materials into machines.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Rolling Machine Operators also disassemble sizing mills removed from rolling lines, and sort and store parts. They may also remove scratches and polish roll surfaces, using polishing stones and electric buffers.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Rolling Machine Operators install equipment such as guides, guards, gears, cooling equipment, and rolls, using hand tools. They might also fill oil cups, adjust valves, and observe gauges to control the flow of metal coolants and lubricants onto workpieces.
In addition, they set distance points between rolls, guides, meters, and stops, according to specifications.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them select rolls, dies, roll stands, and chucks from data charts to form specified contours and to fabricate products.
To some Rolling Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to signal and assist other workers to remove and position equipment, fill hoppers, and feed materials into machines.
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.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
Salary is below average.
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 Rolling Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $29,100 to $35,050 per year or $14 to $17 per hour.
Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Highest (Top 10%) | $63,570 | $31 |
Senior (Top 25%) | $52,910 | $25 |
Median | $43,600 | $21 |
Junior (Bottom 25%) | $35,050 | $17 |
No experience (Bottom 10%) | $29,100 | $14 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Rolling Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic based on their average annual salary.
Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Chemical Manufacturing | $56810 | $27.31 |
Rubber Product Manufacturing | $55100 | $26.49 |
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $49090 | $23.60 |
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | $48440 | $23.29 |
Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $48200 | $23.17 |
Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | $48110 | $23.13 |
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $47130 | $22.66 |
Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | $46500 | $22.35 |
Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing | $46240 | $22.23 |
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | $45060 | $21.67 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Rolling Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Rolling Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders, Metal And Plastic including the average salary in that industry.
Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
---|---|---|---|
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 15350 | $48440 | $23.29 |
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 3560 | $39420 | $18.95 |
Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 2960 | $46500 | $22.35 |
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 2020 | $39760 | $19.11 |
Plastics Product Manufacturing | 1800 | $37100 | $17.84 |
Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing | 1000 | $46240 | $22.23 |
Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 860 | $48110 | $23.13 |
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 760 | $38150 | $18.34 |
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 700 | $49090 | $23.60 |
Employment Services | 510 | $35750 | $17.19 |
What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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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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