How to become a drilling and boring machine tool setter, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do
- Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.
- Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
- Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.
- Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.
- Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.
- Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Writing
Is drilling and boring machine tool setter, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic a good career?
On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 4% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Virginia $90,390
- Massachusetts $77,780
- Idaho $69,590
- Florida $66,340
- Michigan $60,410
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.