Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
Median pay: $50,620/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: -13.6% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 1,500 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.
• Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
• Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.
• Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.
• Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
• Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
• Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.
• Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
• Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
What's the median pay for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
The median pay for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is $50,620 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Employment for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is projected to change -13.6% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool 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 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
About 1,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.