Production
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Also called: Extruder Operator, Extrusion Operator, Glass Forming Crew Member, Machine Operator
US median pay
$45,760
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1.5%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
5,200
58,300 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.
What they do day to day
- Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
- Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
- Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions.
- Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products.
- Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.
- Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
- Review work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines.
- Turn controls to adjust machine functions, such as regulating air pressure, creating vacuums, and adjusting coolant flow.
- Clean dies, arbors, compression chambers, and molds, using swabs, sponges, or air hoses.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.8/5
- Operation and Control3.8/5
- Troubleshooting3.0/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
- Time Management2.8/5
Knowledge
- Production and Processing3.7/5
- Mechanical3.5/5
- Computers and Electronics3.1/5
- Mathematics2.9/5
- Engineering and Technology2.9/5
- Food Production2.8/5
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 diploma78%
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.