Production
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also called: Die Setter, Fabrication Operator, Machine Operator, Machine Setter
US median pay
$46,330
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-10.5%
declining
Openings a year (US)
13,200
171,000 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
What they do day to day
- Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
- Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
- Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
- Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
- Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
- Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools.
- Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines.
- Turn controls to set cutting speeds, feed rates, or table angles for specified operations.
- Clean work area.
- Lubricate workpieces with oil.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.5/5
- Operation and Control3.4/5
- Troubleshooting3.0/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9/5
- Time Management2.8/5
- Equipment Maintenance2.8/5
- Coordination2.8/5
Knowledge
- Production and Processing3.2/5
- Mechanical3.0/5
- English Language3.0/5
- Mathematics2.4/5
- Engineering and Technology2.4/5
- Education and Training2.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma63%
- Post-secondary certificate35%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.