Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers: Career Profile
Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials, such as liquid polymer, rayon, and fiberglass.
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The Daily Work of Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers Perform?
The core tasks performed by extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers include:
- Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form filaments from synthetic materials such as rayon, fiberglass, or liquid polymers.
- Press buttons to stop machines when processes are complete or when malfunctions are detected.
- Notify other workers of defects, and direct them to adjust extruding and forming machines.
- Observe machine operations, control boards, and gauges to detect malfunctions such as clogged bushings and defective binder applicators.
- Load materials into extruding and forming machines, using hand tools, and adjust feed mechanisms to set feed rates.
- Move controls to activate and adjust extruding and forming machines.
- Record details of machine malfunctions.
- Clean and maintain extruding and forming machines, using hand tools.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Effective extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Other Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Beamer Operator
- Beaming Machine Operator
- Blown Film Extrusion Operator
- Box Spinner
- Drawbench Operator
- Extruder
- Extruder Operator
- Extrusion Line Operator
How Many Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers Are There?
There are roughly 363,848 extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers working in the United States today. Employment is projected to grow by +8.2% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $35,119 |
| Hourly median | $16.88 |
| 10th percentile | $20,000 |
| 25th percentile | $27,302 |
| 75th percentile | $42,935 |
| 90th percentile | $50,751 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Ohio | $65,130 |
| Alabama | $58,150 |
| Minnesota | $51,310 |
| Maryland | $49,190 |
| Wisconsin | $48,700 |
| Kansas | $48,530 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,200 |
| Rhode Island | $47,490 |
| California | $47,310 |
| Missouri | $47,270 |
| Iowa | $46,870 |
| New York | $46,690 |
| Texas | $46,520 |
| Tennessee | $45,060 |
| Georgia | $44,930 |
| North Carolina | $44,660 |
| Michigan | $43,250 |
| South Carolina | $42,920 |
| West Virginia | $42,300 |
| Florida | $41,030 |
| Virginia | $39,760 |
| Nebraska | $36,450 |
| Kentucky | $32,250 |
| Arizona | $31,060 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Earnings for extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers differ across the country. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Lakes | $54,457 | 6.1% | 0.69 |
| Plains States | $48,012 | 4.1% | 1.81 |
| Middle Atlantic | $47,802 | 3.9% | 0.33 |
| New England | $47,490 | 1.6% | 4.36 |
| Far Western US | $47,310 | 2.5% | 0.19 |
| Southwest | $46,520 | 10.0% | 0.99 |
| Southeast | $44,667 | 71.8% | 5.70 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | MN | $78,960 | 140 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | PA | $63,610 | 60 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | GA | $57,970 | 570 |
| Wilmington, NC | NC | $52,470 | 240 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | GA | $52,220 | 90 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | TX | $50,600 | 530 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | TN | $49,960 | 300 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | MD | $49,190 | 50 |
Which Industries Hire Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
Most extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 14,610 | $45,160 |
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers work in the following industries:
Tech Stack
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: SAP software (hot technology)
Work Environment
Daily working conditions for extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How to Become Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
Typical extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
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About the Data
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 51-6091.00 (Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers).