Production
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also called: CNC Licensed Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Licensed Mill Operator), CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator), CNC Mill Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Operator), CNC Mill Set Up Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Set Up Operator)
US median pay
$52,800
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-13.2%
declining
Openings a year (US)
1,000
12,400 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
What they do day to day
- Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
- Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
- Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
- Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
- Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.
- Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
- Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders.
- Study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations.
- Compute dimensions, tolerances, and angles of workpieces or machines according to specifications and knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
- Move cutters or material manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to mill workpieces to specifications.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Operations Monitoring3.9/5
- Operation and Control3.4/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.9/5
- Troubleshooting2.8/5
- Coordination2.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.8/5
- Time Management2.6/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.6/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical3.7/5
- Production and Processing3.6/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Computers and Electronics3.2/5
- Education and Training3.0/5
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 diploma47%
- Bachelor's degree19%
- Post-secondary certificate15%
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.