How to become a multiple machine tool setter, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

Q: How do I become a multiple machine tool setter, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?

The typical entry-level education is usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..

Q: How much does a multiple machine tool setter, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?

The median pay in the United States is $47,180 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.

Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.Typical entry-level education

$47,180Median pay a year

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 multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do

Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments.
Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists.
Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences.
Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.
Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary.
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, cutters, shears, borers, millers, grinders, presses, drills, or auxiliary machines, to make metallic and plastic workpieces.

Skills that matter most

Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Writing
Learning Strategies

Is multiple 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 7% 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

West Virginia $76,080
Kentucky $54,960
Missouri $53,160
Maryland $51,780
Nebraska $50,960

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.