What Do Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender Do?
Example of Milling & Planing Machine Operator Job Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
What Do Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Do On a Daily Basis?
- Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.
- Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders.
- Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
- Turn valves or pull levers to start and regulate the flow of coolant or lubricant to work areas.
- Record production output.
- Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Milling & Planing Machine Operator?
These are the skills Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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.
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
- Tool Shaper Set-Up Operator
- Thread Milling Machine Set Up Operator
- File Cutter
- Scalping Machine Operator
- Broaching Machine Set Up Operator
What Kind of Milling & Planing Machine Operator Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 17,600 jobs in the United States for Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. There will be an estimated 1,300 positions for Milling & Planing Machine Operator per year.

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.
Average Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary
The salary for Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders ranges between about $26,210 and $63,400 a year.

Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Tennessee, Connecticut, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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
How do I Become a Milling & Planing Machine Operator?
Education needed to be a Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Milling & Planing Machine Operator?

Where Metal and Plastic Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Work

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

Similar Careers
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
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