Occupation · SOC 51-9041
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.
Median wage
$45,130
$34,790–$64,660
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
57,310
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
1 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlMonitoringSpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingTroubleshooting
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanicalComputers and Electronics
Technology & tools
Enterprise resource planning ERP softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measurin
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Control buttons and activation sequences — identify and press under direct supervisor guidance during machine startup on a production floor.Machine gauges and indicator lights — observe and recognize normal versus abnormal readings with assistance from a lead operator.Work orders and specification sheets — read and locate key information such as material type and basic machine settings under close direction.Hand tools and measuring devices such as templates and scales — use to check product dimensions under direct supervision at an entry-level production station.Minor jams and loose material buildup — recognize and report to a supervisor before attempting basic clearance on a compacting or forming machine.Machine speed and pressure controls — adjust to pre-set values following step-by-step written instructions provided by a lead operator.Production data such as quantities and material types — record onto standardized paper logs or simple digital forms under supervisor review.Safety protocols and personal protective equipment — follow consistently during all machine operation tasks on the production floor.Defective or substandard product samples — identify visually using provided reference templates and set aside for supervisor review.Basic ERP or spreadsheet software — enter production counts and shift data under guidance from a trainer or lead operator.
developing
Machine component adjustments for speed, pressure, and temperature — perform routinely from work order specifications with minimal supervisor involvement on a forming or extrusion line.Gauges, lights, and auditory signals — monitor continuously during a full shift and distinguish normal variation from developing malfunctions without prompting.Micrometers and precision scales — use independently to measure and weigh extruded or pressed products and compare results against dimensional standards.Jams and substandard material flows — clear and resolve using established procedures, minimizing production downtime on a pressing or compacting machine.Material quantities, meter readings, and product dimensions — record accurately in production logs or ERP systems throughout a standard production shift.Extruded or formed product quality — evaluate against specifications and notify supervisors promptly when output fails to meet established standards.Work orders and process instructions — interpret independently to select correct materials, ingredients, and machine settings before each production run.Machine malfunctions and quality deviations — troubleshoot using familiarity with mechanical components and report findings clearly to maintenance or supervisors.Spreadsheet and database software — use to retrieve production records, enter shift data, and cross-reference material requirements without assistance.Verbal and written communication — convey production status, quality concerns, and equipment issues clearly to supervisors and coworkers during shift handoffs.
proficient
Full machine setup and parameter configuration — execute autonomously for multiple extrusion, forming, or compacting machine types based on complex work order specifications.Non-routine malfunctions and persistent quality deviations — diagnose root causes using systematic troubleshooting and mechanical knowledge, implementing effective corrective actions.Dimensional, weight, and conformance inspections — conduct with precision instruments across a range of product types and flag systemic quality trends before they escalate.Production and processing workflows — optimize material flow, machine sequencing, and cycle times to consistently meet or exceed output targets.Complex ERP and materials requirements planning software — navigate to manage production schedules, material consumption records, and inventory data across a shift or product line.Machine component wear and process drift — anticipate through sustained monitoring and proactively adjust settings to maintain product quality throughout extended production runs.Unfamiliar or non-standard work orders — interpret and translate into accurate machine configurations, material selections, and processing sequences with confidence.Quality control analysis — apply structured inspection methods across an entire production batch, documenting findings and recommending process adjustments to supervisors or engineers.Cross-functional communication — articulate technical machine and quality issues clearly to maintenance technicians, engineers, and supervisors to drive timely resolution.Incident and near-miss documentation — complete thorough written reports using office suite or word processing software to support safety and continuous improvement efforts.
advanced
Machine setup standards and operating procedures — develop and codify for extrusion, forming, pressing, and compacting lines to ensure consistency across all operators on the floor.New operator training programs — design and deliver, covering machine activation, monitoring, quality inspection, and documentation practices aligned with production standards.Production quality metrics and defect trends — analyze across shifts and machine types, leading root-cause investigations and driving corrective action plans at an organizational level.Continuous improvement initiatives — lead for forming and compacting operations, identifying process inefficiencies and implementing changes that measurably reduce waste and downtime.ERP and production data systems — champion adoption and accurate use across the production team, serving as the point of expertise for data entry standards and reporting accuracy.Cross-departmental coordination — lead communication between production, maintenance, quality, and supply chain teams to align machine capacity with material availability and customer demand.Machine performance benchmarks and production targets — set and communicate to operators and team leads, translating organizational goals into actionable floor-level expectations.Safety culture and cautious operating practices — model and enforce across the production area, mentoring operators in hazard recognition and risk-reduction behaviors.Capital equipment evaluations and process technology changes — contribute expert operational input to assessments of new extrusion or compacting machinery under consideration by management.Workforce scheduling and task allocation — manage across a production shift, matching operator skills to machine assignments to maximize throughput and product quality outcomes.
Also known as
304 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Laminating Machine TenderCork MolderStem-Roller-or-Crusher OperatorPaper BundlerWax MolderCasting-Machine OperatorCigarette Book MakerFlaking Roll OperatorCompressor OperatorSole Conforming Machine OperatorExtruding Machine TenderLump MakerTray Casting Machine OperatorMachine Joiner CementerRolling-Machine OperatorHot Press OperatorExtruder OperatorClay CasterConcrete Block MakerCracker and Cookie Machine OperatorCandle Extrusion Machine OperatorPaper BalerPlodding OperatorChalk Machine OperatorRubber Extrusion OperatorFlaking-Roll OperatorSteam Press TenderPlodding Machine OperatorMolding Machine OperatorHot Plate Press OperatorFoam Rubber MolderCore ExtruderSynthetic Gem Press OperatorDehydrating-Press OperatorLap Machine TenderBag BuilderExtruderPellet Mill OperatorMeat Press OperatorConcrete Pipe Making Machine Operator