Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender

Find Schools Near

What Do Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender Do?

Milling & Planing Machine Operator Example Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

List of Milling & Planing Machine Operator Job Duties

  • Mount attachments and tools, such as pantographs, engravers, or routers to perform other operations, such as drilling or boring.
  • Study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations.
  • Record production output.
  • Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
  • Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.
  • Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments, such as rules, gauges, or calipers.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Milling & Planing Machine Operator?

Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

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.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Other Milling & Planing Machine Operator Job Titles

  • Router Operator
  • Manufacturing Assistant
  • Manufacturing Associate
  • Tool Planer Set-Up Operator
  • Profiling Machine Setup Operator

What Kind of Milling & Planing Machine Operator Job Opportunities Are There?

In the United States, there were 17,600 jobs for Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. The BLS estimates 1,300 yearly job openings in this field.

undefined

The states with the most job growth for Milling & Planing Machine Operator are Arkansas, Louisiana, and Maryland. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Make A Lot Of Money?

The typical yearly salary for Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is somewhere between $26,210 and $63,400.

undefined

Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Tennessee, Connecticut, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

How much do Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $47,000
Arizona $45,160
Arkansas $44,440
California $42,690
Colorado $45,100
Connecticut $55,780
Florida $40,850
Georgia $44,860
Idaho $33,270
Illinois $41,240
Indiana $39,720
Iowa $39,530
Kansas $46,240
Kentucky $42,290
Louisiana $43,550
Maryland $39,890
Massachusetts $51,670
Michigan $48,080
Minnesota $42,130
Mississippi $34,990
Missouri $37,710
Nebraska $40,090
New Hampshire $36,120
New Jersey $49,770
New York $43,980
North Carolina $36,650
Ohio $45,710
Oklahoma $34,060
Pennsylvania $46,700
Rhode Island $43,750
South Carolina $31,370
Tennessee $47,970
Texas $40,230
Utah $33,760
Vermont $38,560
Virginia $35,930
West Virginia $40,710
Wisconsin $43,060

What Tools & Technology do Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Siemens PLM Software Solid Edge
  • G code
  • Mastercam
  • SmartCAMcnc SmartCAM
  • EditCNC
  • M code
  • Vero Software Alphacam
  • Edgecam

Becoming a Milling & Planing Machine Operator

What education is needed to be a Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender?

undefined

What work experience do I need to become a Milling & Planing Machine Operator?

undefined

Who Employs Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

undefined

Below are examples of industries where Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders work:

undefined

You May Also Be Interested In…

Those interested in being a Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender may also be interested in:

References:

Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.