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Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender

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All About Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Example of Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator Job 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

  • Position guides, stops, holding blocks, or other fixtures to secure and direct workpieces, using hand tools and measuring devices.
  • Select, clean, and install spacers, rubber sleeves, or cutters on arbors.
  • Clean work area.
  • Thread ends of metal coils from reels through slitters and secure ends on recoilers.
  • Grind out burrs or sharp edges, using portable grinders, speed lathes, or polishing jacks.
  • Hand-form, cut, or finish workpieces, using tools such as table saws, hand sledges, or anvils.

Skills Needed to be 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

  • Metal Tube Cutter
  • Slat Twister
  • Key Cutter
  • Cutter
  • Plastic Press Operator

Job Opportunities for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

There were about 192,700 jobs for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. The BLS estimates 18,900 yearly job openings in this field.

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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.

Salary for a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator

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.

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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

Tools & Technologies Used by Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders:

  • 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?

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What work experience do I need to become a Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Operator?

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Who Employs Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders employed by various industries.

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Those who work as a Metal and Plastic Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

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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