Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Median pay: $46,330/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -12.1% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 14,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
• Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
• Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
• Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
• Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
• Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools.
• Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines.
• Turn controls to set cutting speeds, feed rates, or table angles for specified operations.
What's the median pay for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
The median pay for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is $46,330 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Employment for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is projected to change -12.1% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
About 14,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.