Occupation · SOC 51-4081
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.
Median wage
$46,060
$34,130–$72,850
Projected growth
-0.5%
Declining
Annual openings
-70
per year
Employed (US)
129,850
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
383 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisEquipment MaintenanceJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringOperation and ControlReading ComprehensionActive Listening
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanicalMathematicsEnglish LanguageDesign
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareElectronic mail softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
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.Change worn machine accessories, such as cutting tools or brushes, using hand tools.Set machine stops or guides to specified lengths as indicated by scales, rules, or templates.Select the proper coolants and lubricants and start their flow.Perform minor machine maintenance, such as oiling or cleaning machines, dies, or workpieces, or adding coolant to machine reservoirs.Remove burrs, sharp edges, rust, or scale from workpieces, using files, hand grinders, wire brushes, or power tools.Make minor electrical and mechanical repairs and adjustments to machines and notify supervisors when major service is required.Compute data, such as gear dimensions or machine settings, applying knowledge of shop mathematics.Start machines and turn handwheels or valves to engage feeding, cooling, and lubricating mechanisms.Move controls or mount gears, cams, or templates in machines to set feed rates and cutting speeds, depths, and angles.Instruct other workers in machine set-up and operation.Record operational data, such as pressure readings, lengths of strokes, feed rates, or speeds.Extract or lift jammed pieces from machines, using fingers, wire hooks, or lift bars.Measure and mark reference points and cutting lines on workpieces, using traced templates, compasses, and rules.Write programs for computer numerical control (CNC) machines to cut metal and plastic materials.Align layout marks with dies or blades.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Blueprint and job order basics — identify product specifications and tooling instructions under direct supervisor guidance on a production floor.Measuring instruments such as rules and templates — use to check workpiece dimensions against stated tolerances with close oversight.Stock material and workpieces — position and secure manually against stops or in fixtures following step-by-step direction from a lead operator.Machine controls on lathes, drills, or grinders — locate and operate basic functions under direct supervision during initial on-the-job training.Cutting tools and brushes — recognize signs of wear and report replacement needs to a supervisor before attempting changes.Machine stops and guides — set to specified lengths using scales or templates as directed by written work instructions.Defects on finished workpieces — recognize obvious surface flaws or dimensional mismatches and flag them for quality review.Personal protective equipment and shop safety protocols — follow consistently when loading materials or attending running machines.Hand tools such as wrenches and Allen keys — select and use correctly to perform basic fixture adjustments under supervision.Basic shop mathematics — apply whole-number and fraction calculations to verify simple measurements and machine settings with guidance.
developing
Job orders and engineering blueprints — read independently to determine operational sequences and tooling requirements for routine production runs.Drills, cutters, dies, and holding devices — select, install, and align using measuring instruments and hand tools with minimal oversight on standard jobs.Workpieces — inspect and measure using calipers, micrometers, and templates to verify accuracy and record results in production logs.Lathes, millers, borers, and presses — set up and operate to produce metallic and plastic parts to specification across familiar job types.Machine operation — monitor continuously for abnormal sounds, vibration, or surface finish changes and make routine feed or speed adjustments.Worn cutting tools and accessories — change using proper hand tools and verify alignment before resuming production independently.Automatic feeding mechanisms and hoists — use to load and position stock safely and efficiently within standard production cycles.Machine stops and guides — adjust to compensate for tool wear or material variation based on in-process measurement results.Common machine malfunctions — troubleshoot by following established diagnostic steps and escalating complex issues to maintenance personnel.Quality control data — compile and review from multiple workpieces to identify recurring dimensional trends and adjust machine settings accordingly.
proficient
Full range of machine tool setups — plan and execute independently across lathes, cutters, shears, borers, millers, grinders, and presses for varied production orders.Complex or tight-tolerance blueprints — interpret and translate into complete tooling and operational sequences without supervisor input.Non-routine defects and workpiece anomalies — diagnose root cause using measurement data, visual inspection, and knowledge of tooling wear patterns.Tooling selection and alignment — optimize for material type, part geometry, and cycle time to balance quality and throughput on the shop floor.Machine malfunctions — troubleshoot and resolve across mechanical and operational causes, coordinating with maintenance only for major repairs.Quality control analysis — conduct systematic dimensional checks across a production run and implement corrective adjustments to maintain specification compliance.ERP or production tracking systems — enter job data, material usage, and downtime records accurately to support scheduling and inventory decisions.Hoists and automated feeding systems — configure and operate safely for heavy or complex stock, ensuring consistent workpiece positioning across long runs.Peripheral and auxiliary machine setup — integrate into primary operations, verifying synchronization and safety interlocks before production release.Newer machine models or unfamiliar tooling configurations — adapt quickly using technical documentation and applied mechanical knowledge with minimal retraining time.
advanced
Shop-wide machine tool setup standards — develop and document to ensure consistent quality, safety, and efficiency across all operators and shifts.Emerging operators and developing technicians — mentor in blueprint reading, measurement techniques, and machine operation through structured on-the-job coaching.Production sequencing and workflow — optimize across multiple machine types to reduce changeover time and increase overall equipment effectiveness.Quality control systems — design and implement inspection checkpoints and measurement protocols that reduce scrap rates across the entire production cell.Equipment maintenance schedules — establish and oversee for all machine tools, coordinating with maintenance personnel to minimize unplanned downtime.Tooling and supply procurement decisions — evaluate and recommend based on performance data, cost analysis, and compatibility with current production requirements.CAD software and digital work instructions — leverage to create or review setup documentation that standardizes best practices for the department.Safety and compliance standards — enforce and update across the work area, responding to near-miss incidents with root-cause analysis and procedural revisions.Cross-functional communication — convey production status, quality issues, and capacity constraints clearly to engineering, scheduling, and management stakeholders.Continuous improvement initiatives — lead on the production floor by identifying inefficiencies in machine setup and operation and implementing measurable corrective actions.
Also known as
101 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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