Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders: Career Overview
Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.
Featured schools near , edit
What Do Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Perform?
The day-to-day responsibilities of extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders span:
- Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
- Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
- Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions.
- Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products.
- Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.
- Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
- Review work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Top extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The competencies most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Related Job Titles
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Abrasive Wheel Molder
- Air Bag Curer
- Alfalfa Dehydrator Operator
- Arch Cushion Press Operator
- Artificial Log Machine Operator
- Auger Press Operator
- Automatic Lump Making Machine Tender
- Bag Bailer
Employment and Demand
There are roughly 319,449 extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +8.9% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $64,701 |
| Hourly median | $31.11 |
| 10th percentile | $45,184 |
| 25th percentile | $54,942 |
| 75th percentile | $74,459 |
| 90th percentile | $84,217 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Montana | $58,060 |
| Maine | $52,960 |
| Colorado | $50,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,810 |
| Vermont | $50,700 |
| Minnesota | $50,480 |
| South Carolina | $49,730 |
| Idaho | $49,150 |
| West Virginia | $49,050 |
| Virginia | $48,980 |
| Louisiana | $48,950 |
| Connecticut | $48,010 |
| Oregon | $47,890 |
| Nevada | $47,820 |
| Missouri | $47,760 |
| New Jersey | $47,720 |
| Illinois | $47,680 |
| Washington | $47,570 |
| Iowa | $47,440 |
| New York | $46,930 |
| Nebraska | $46,770 |
| California | $46,590 |
| New Hampshire | $46,500 |
| Indiana | $46,250 |
| North Carolina | $46,210 |
| Georgia | $45,860 |
| Massachusetts | $45,600 |
| Maryland | $45,580 |
| Kansas | $45,370 |
| Arizona | $45,020 |
| Ohio | $44,790 |
| Arkansas | $44,780 |
| North Dakota | $44,020 |
| Michigan | $43,570 |
| Oklahoma | $43,270 |
| Tennessee | $42,670 |
| South Dakota | $42,640 |
| Wisconsin | $41,020 |
| Florida | $40,860 |
| Kentucky | $40,710 |
| Mississippi | $40,190 |
| Alabama | $39,830 |
| Utah | $38,940 |
| Texas | $37,100 |
| New Mexico | $35,520 |
| Rhode Island | $35,180 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,600 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Earnings for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders differ across the country. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Atlantic | $48,260 | 14.2% | 1.03 |
| Plains States | $47,009 | 8.3% | 1.48 |
| Far Western US | $46,839 | 10.0% | 0.67 |
| New England | $46,555 | 4.0% | 1.08 |
| Great Lakes | $44,865 | 23.2% | 1.86 |
| Southeast | $44,530 | 29.7% | 1.88 |
| Rocky Mountains | $42,763 | 2.0% | 0.93 |
| Southwest | $38,869 | 7.9% | 0.69 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CA | CA | $86,150 | 160 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | AL | $67,540 | 140 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | ME | $58,290 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | MO | $57,580 | 870 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $57,460 | 270 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | MI | $56,870 | 50 |
| Vallejo, CA | CA | $55,660 | 120 |
| Sandusky, OH | OH | $55,070 | 60 |
Top Industries Employing Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Most extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 53,230 | $45,590 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1,790 | $34,630 |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,730 | $38,860 |
| Retail Trade | 160 | $36,800 |
| Construction | 110 | $50,050 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 60 | $40,160 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 60 | $43,840 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 50 | $45,100 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
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)
The Day-to-Day Environment
Daily working conditions for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders 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
- Spend Time Standing
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How to Become Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Most extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics (Supplemental)
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Supplemental)
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Supplemental)
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Primary-Long)
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Supplemental)
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Supplemental)
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Supplemental)
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (Primary-Long)
About the Data
This profile draws on 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: 51-9041.00 (Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.