All About Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Position Description 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.
List of Compacting Machine Operator Job Duties
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
- Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products.
- Send product samples to laboratories for analysis.
- Thread extruded strips through water tanks and hold-down bars, or attach strands to wires and draw them through tubes.
- Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.
- Synchronize speeds of sections of machines when producing products involving several steps or processes.
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Compacting Machine Operator Skills
These are the skills Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders say are the most useful in their careers:
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Other Compacting Machine Operator Job Titles
- Briquette Operator
- Tuber Machine Operator
- Mat Puncher
- Electronic Gluing Machine Operator
- Lump Machine Operator
Is There Going to be Demand for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 71,400 jobs in the United States for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 7,900 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Compacting Machine Operator are Rhode Island, Utah, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Delaware, Virginia, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Compacting Machine Operator Average Salary
The salary for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders ranges between about $24,070 and $52,840 a year.

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Louisiana, Idaho, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $38,970 |
Arizona | $33,720 |
Arkansas | $37,380 |
California | $36,390 |
Colorado | $36,490 |
Connecticut | $43,640 |
Delaware | $43,100 |
Florida | $34,930 |
Georgia | $35,750 |
Hawaii | $30,070 |
Idaho | $46,000 |
Illinois | $42,270 |
Indiana | $33,250 |
Iowa | $39,980 |
Kansas | $37,910 |
Kentucky | $38,510 |
Louisiana | $43,910 |
Maine | $35,850 |
Maryland | $43,680 |
Massachusetts | $37,090 |
Michigan | $35,190 |
Minnesota | $41,470 |
Mississippi | $32,590 |
Missouri | $38,630 |
Montana | $36,490 |
Nebraska | $39,580 |
Nevada | $34,310 |
New Hampshire | $34,470 |
New Jersey | $36,700 |
New Mexico | $33,900 |
New York | $41,110 |
North Carolina | $38,360 |
Ohio | $35,180 |
Oklahoma | $31,460 |
Oregon | $42,510 |
Pennsylvania | $38,770 |
Rhode Island | $34,430 |
South Carolina | $40,430 |
South Dakota | $34,780 |
Tennessee | $32,010 |
Texas | $31,500 |
Utah | $38,210 |
Vermont | $32,760 |
Virginia | $32,190 |
Washington | $43,350 |
Wisconsin | $37,260 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
How do I Become a Compacting Machine Operator?
What kind of Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Compacting Machine Operator?

Where Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Are Employed

Below are examples of industries where Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders work:

Similar Careers
Are you already one of the many Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
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