What is a Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender?
Job Description: Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
List of Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Job Duties
- Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines.
- Clean work area.
- Grind out burrs or sharp edges, using portable grinders, speed lathes, or polishing jacks.
- Select, clean, and install spacers, rubber sleeves, or cutters on arbors.
- Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
- Hone cutters with oilstones to remove nicks.
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Qualities of a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator
When polled, Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Other Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Job Titles
- Press Operator
- Fabrication Operator
- Heavy Duty Press Operator
- Diamond Saw Operator
- Cutter
Job Demand for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 192,700 jobs in the United States for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. There will be an estimated 18,900 positions for Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator per year.
The states with the most job growth for Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator are Utah, North Dakota, and Georgia. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Colorado, or New Hampshire. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Make A Lot Of Money?
The typical yearly salary for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is somewhere between $23,440 and $52,270.
Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Wyoming, Minnesota, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.
How much do Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $32,580 |
Alaska | $38,340 |
Arizona | $36,540 |
Arkansas | $35,690 |
California | $37,430 |
Colorado | $37,820 |
Connecticut | $38,250 |
Delaware | $33,990 |
Florida | $31,860 |
Georgia | $31,460 |
Idaho | $30,910 |
Illinois | $36,340 |
Indiana | $33,940 |
Iowa | $36,060 |
Kansas | $33,680 |
Kentucky | $40,270 |
Louisiana | $37,840 |
Maine | $39,000 |
Maryland | $42,770 |
Massachusetts | $41,090 |
Michigan | $37,940 |
Minnesota | $43,200 |
Mississippi | $32,210 |
Missouri | $36,920 |
Montana | $37,050 |
Nebraska | $37,360 |
Nevada | $32,360 |
New Hampshire | $36,850 |
New Jersey | $34,850 |
New Mexico | $29,760 |
New York | $40,240 |
North Carolina | $31,620 |
North Dakota | $35,640 |
Ohio | $35,590 |
Oklahoma | $34,490 |
Oregon | $38,960 |
Pennsylvania | $37,360 |
Rhode Island | $32,810 |
South Carolina | $35,690 |
South Dakota | $36,660 |
Tennessee | $33,420 |
Texas | $32,650 |
Utah | $35,910 |
Vermont | $36,360 |
Virginia | $36,610 |
Washington | $44,670 |
West Virginia | $36,520 |
Wisconsin | $38,970 |
Wyoming | $43,330 |
What Tools do Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- SAP
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Computerized numerical control CNC software
- Automated inventory software
Becoming a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator
What education is needed to be a Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender?
What work experience do I need to become a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator?
Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Sector
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Similar Careers
Are you already one of the many Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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