Occupation · SOC 51-4021
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.
Median wage
$46,980
$35,390–$62,470
Projected growth
+1.2%
Slower than average
Annual openings
80
per year
Employed (US)
65,700
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
210 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingMonitoringSpeakingCoordination
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMathematicsEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Enterprise application integration softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation software
Representative tasks
Measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products.Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications.Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion.Reel extruded products into rolls of specified lengths and weights.Install dies, machine screws, and sizing rings on machines that extrude thermoplastic or metal materials.Change dies on extruding machines, according to production line changes.Clean work areas.Troubleshoot, maintain, and make minor repairs to equipment.Weigh and mix pelletized, granular, or powdered thermoplastic materials and coloring pigments.Test physical properties of products with testing devices such as acid-bath testers, burst testers, and impact testers.Load machine hoppers with mixed materials, using augers, or stuff rolls of plastic dough into machine cylinders.Maintain an inventory of materials.Adjust controls to draw or press metal into specified shapes and diameters.Replace worn dies when products vary from specifications.Select nozzles, spacers, and wire guides, according to diameters and lengths of rods.Operate shearing mechanisms to cut rods to specified lengths.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Machine controls and gauges — identify and locate under direct supervisor guidance on the production floor.Basic measurement tools such as calipers and micrometers — use to check extruded product dimensions against written specifications with close oversight.Die installation steps — follow written procedures to assist in mounting dies and sizing rings on extrusion machines under supervision.Machine startup sequences — execute according to posted checklists to regulate vacuum, air pressure, and temperature settings with a trainer present.Extruded product defects such as surface cracks and dimensional deviations — recognize and report to a lead operator during routine production runs.Extruded material — reel into rolls of specified lengths and weights following step-by-step instructions in a production line environment.Work area cleanliness and housekeeping standards — maintain by sweeping scrap material and wiping equipment surfaces at the end of each shift.Production and processing terminology — learn and use correctly when communicating with supervisors and coworkers on the shop floor.Basic hand tools used in machine setup — select and handle safely under direct instruction during die change assistance tasks.Safety protocols and personal protective equipment requirements — follow consistently at all times in the extrusion department.
developing
Extruded product measurements — conduct independently using precision instruments and adjust machine controls to bring output into specification during normal production runs.Setup procedures and die selection — determine and execute for standard production orders by reading job specifications without continuous supervisor direction.Machine speed, temperature, and pressure settings — regulate and synchronize across extrusion line components to maintain consistent output quality on familiar material types.Die changes on extruding machines — complete according to production line changeover schedules, minimizing downtime in a moderate-volume manufacturing environment.Machine screws, dies, and sizing rings — install correctly on thermoplastic or metal extrusion machines following standard operating procedures with minimal oversight.Minor equipment malfunctions such as jams and material feed inconsistencies — troubleshoot and resolve using established maintenance checklists during live production shifts.Production records and quality data — enter accurately into spreadsheet or ERP software to support shift reporting requirements.Coordination with coworkers on adjacent production line stations — demonstrate by communicating clearly about product flow and equipment status during handoffs.Control precision adjustments to vacuum and sizing ring settings — apply in response to real-time product monitoring feedback on the extrusion floor.Quality control inspections of finished rolls — perform systematically to detect dimensional and surface defects before product moves to downstream processing.
proficient
Full-range extrusion machine setup for complex or non-standard product specifications — execute autonomously, selecting appropriate dies, rings, and parameter settings without supervisory input.Non-routine product defects involving material composition or process drift — analyze root causes using critical thinking and adjust multiple machine variables to restore conformance.Troubleshooting of mechanical and process failures across the extrusion line — diagnose and resolve independently, performing minor repairs to minimize unplanned downtime.Machine control parameters for vacuum, air pressure, temperature, and line speed — optimize simultaneously to achieve tight-tolerance output across diverse thermoplastic and metal materials.Production line changeovers involving multiple die and tooling changes — manage efficiently, sequencing tasks to meet production scheduling requirements in a fast-paced facility.Complex problem-solving during material processing anomalies — apply systematic judgment to evaluate equipment performance data and implement corrective actions during live runs.Quality control analysis of extruded product samples — conduct comprehensively, interpreting measurement trends to proactively prevent specification drift across an entire production run.ERP and database software for production and inventory tracking — use proficiently to query job orders, log quality data, and support continuous process documentation.Training guidance to newer operators on machine operation and safety practices — provide informally during shared shifts based on direct operational experience.Cross-functional coordination with maintenance and quality personnel — facilitate by clearly communicating equipment condition and product quality findings to support timely interventions.
advanced
Extrusion department setup standards and standard operating procedures — develop and implement across all machines to ensure consistency, safety, and regulatory compliance facility-wide.Operator training programs for machine setup, die changes, and quality inspection — design and deliver to build competency in new and developing team members throughout the production department.Production line efficiency and quality metrics — analyze using ERP and data tools to identify systemic bottlenecks and lead continuous improvement initiatives across the extrusion operation.Equipment maintenance strategies for extrusion machinery — establish preventive schedules and troubleshooting decision trees that reduce unplanned downtime across the full machine fleet.Complex product specification requirements from engineering or customers — translate into practical machine parameters and tooling configurations, guiding operators through non-standard production scenarios.Quality control analysis frameworks for the department — implement to set acceptance criteria, inspection frequency, and corrective action protocols governing all extruded product lines.Production scheduling coordination with supervisors and planners — lead by providing expert input on changeover times, tooling availability, and machine capacity for short- and long-range planning.Organizational knowledge of extrusion materials, processes, and equipment capabilities — apply at a strategic level to evaluate new product feasibility and support capital equipment decisions.Safety culture and cautiousness standards on the production floor — model and reinforce through observation, mentoring, and formal feedback to all levels of production staff.Cross-departmental communication with quality, engineering, and management — lead by presenting production performance data, recommending process changes, and representing the extrusion team in operational reviews.
Also known as
64 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Manufacturing OperatorNozzle OperatorInjection MolderManufacturing TechnicianManufacturing Production OperatorMachine OperatorTube DrawerExtruding Press AdjusterWheeled Vehicle Repairer (Army 91B)Retort Press OperatorExtrusion-Press AdjusterWire Drawing Machine OperatorWire-Drawing-Machine TenderGrid MolderWire Mill RoverWire DrawerExtruding-Press OperatorFloor MolderExtruder OperatorManufacturing AssociateExtruding Press OperatorExtrusion OperatorInjection Machine OperatorPlastics Extruder OperatorMetal DrawerSetup OperatorExtrusion Press AdjusterMetal InspectorFormerCore ExtruderPlastic Extrusion OperatorWire Drawing Machine TenderJob MolderManufacturing AssistantGrid MakerForming Machine OperatorMachinist (Marine Corps 2161)Hot Mill ObserverDraw-Bench OperatorDrawbench Operator