What is a Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender?
Example of Forging Machine Operator Job Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.
Life As a Forging Machine Operator: What Do They Do?
- Select, align, and bolt positioning fixtures, stops, and specified dies to rams and anvils, forging rolls, or presses and hammers.
- Repair, maintain, and replace parts on dies.
- Confer with other workers about machine setups and operational specifications.
- Measure and inspect machined parts to ensure conformance to product specifications.
- Install, adjust, and remove dies, synchronizing cams, forging hammers, and stop guides, using overhead cranes or other hoisting devices, and hand tools.
- Turn handles or knobs to set pressures and depths of ram strokes and to synchronize machine operations.
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Forging Machine Operator Required Skills
These are the skills Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
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.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Other Forging Machine Operator Job Titles
- Hammersmith
- Spring Fitter
- Power Hammer Operator
- Header Set-Up Operator
- Machine Operator
What Kind of Forging Machine Operator Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 19,200 jobs for Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. The BLS estimates 1,400 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Forging Machine Operator are Tennessee, Arizona, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in New Hampshire, Kansas, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Forging Machine Operator
The salary for Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender ranges between about $25,100 and $60,310 a year.

Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender who work in Oklahoma, Tennessee, or Indiana, make the highest salaries.
How much do Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $37,870 |
Arizona | $37,810 |
Arkansas | $38,530 |
California | $38,450 |
Colorado | $40,880 |
Connecticut | $28,890 |
Florida | $30,260 |
Georgia | $42,370 |
Illinois | $39,600 |
Indiana | $46,980 |
Iowa | $35,370 |
Kansas | $38,810 |
Kentucky | $38,240 |
Maryland | $32,450 |
Massachusetts | $31,160 |
Michigan | $38,550 |
Minnesota | $41,390 |
Mississippi | $36,220 |
Missouri | $40,460 |
New Hampshire | $39,060 |
New Jersey | $36,760 |
New York | $42,680 |
North Carolina | $36,930 |
Ohio | $40,110 |
Oklahoma | $56,700 |
Oregon | $39,480 |
Pennsylvania | $43,490 |
Rhode Island | $37,490 |
South Carolina | $33,130 |
South Dakota | $40,190 |
Tennessee | $50,300 |
Texas | $36,310 |
Vermont | $44,880 |
Virginia | $41,690 |
Wisconsin | $41,770 |
What Tools do Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender may use on a daily basis:
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Inventory tracking software
- Machine control software
How to Become a Forging Machine Operator
Individuals working as a Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender Work

Below are examples of industries where Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender work:

Similar Careers
Those interested in being a Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Metal and Plastic Forging Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
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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