Life As a Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
Job Description: Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.
Daily Life Of a Rolling Machine Operator
- Monitor machine cycles and mill operation to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications.
- Start operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips.
- Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects.
- Record mill production on schedule sheets.
- Disassemble sizing mills removed from rolling lines, and sort and store parts.
- Thread or feed sheets or rods through rolling mechanisms, or start and control mechanisms that automatically feed steel into rollers.
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Qualities of a Rolling Machine Operator
When polled, Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
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.
Types of Rolling Machine Operator Jobs
- Medart Operator
- Roller Leveler
- Rod Finisher
- Rougher Operator
- Mangle Roll Operator
Job Demand for Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
In the United States, there were 29,000 jobs for Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,300 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Rolling Machine Operator are South Dakota, Georgia, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Virginia, Massachusetts, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Rolling Machine Operator Make?
The salary for Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders ranges between about $25,720 and $60,640 a year.

Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Nevada, South Carolina, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $31,700 |
Arizona | $31,770 |
Arkansas | $38,630 |
California | $43,010 |
Colorado | $42,680 |
Connecticut | $53,290 |
Florida | $35,640 |
Georgia | $35,310 |
Illinois | $42,190 |
Indiana | $46,480 |
Iowa | $39,410 |
Kansas | $41,550 |
Louisiana | $45,800 |
Maryland | $40,900 |
Massachusetts | $41,120 |
Michigan | $40,090 |
Minnesota | $40,770 |
Mississippi | $32,410 |
Missouri | $43,270 |
Nebraska | $37,850 |
Nevada | $50,430 |
New Hampshire | $35,770 |
New Jersey | $36,410 |
New York | $43,580 |
North Carolina | $39,730 |
Ohio | $40,290 |
Oklahoma | $35,250 |
Oregon | $42,760 |
Pennsylvania | $42,290 |
Rhode Island | $40,540 |
South Carolina | $48,520 |
South Dakota | $38,860 |
Tennessee | $38,980 |
Texas | $34,710 |
Utah | $41,170 |
Virginia | $44,930 |
Washington | $47,410 |
West Virginia | $38,280 |
Wisconsin | $39,990 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders:
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
Becoming a Rolling Machine Operator
Are there Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders education requirements?

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

Where Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Work

The table below shows the approximate number of Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders employed by various industries.

Similar Careers
Those interested in being a Metal and Plastic Rolling Machine Setter, Operator, and 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.
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