Description

Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

Interests

Realistic
Conventional

Learn More about Interests

Work Values

Support
Working Conditions
Independence

Learn More about Work Values

Work Styles

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Self-Control
Persistence
Stress Tolerance

Learn More about Work Styles

Tasks

Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.

Work Activities

Controlling Machines and Processes
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Handling and Moving Objects

Detailed Work Activities

Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Performing General Physical Activities - Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Technology Skills

Computer aided design CAD software
Presentation software
Object or component oriented development software
Spreadsheet software
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software

Skills

Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Active Listening

Knowledge

Mechanical
Production and Processing
English Language
Mathematics
Computers and Electronics

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

These are the certification(s) applicable to Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Certificate name

Machining Level I - CNC Mill Operations

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Core

Certificate name

Machining Level I - Manual Turning Between Centers

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Core

Certificate name

Autodesk Certified Associate in CAM 2.5 Axis Milling

Certifying Organization

Autodesk, Inc.

Type

Product/Equipment

Certificate name

CNC Lathe Operations

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Core

Certificate name

Machining Level I - Grinding I

Certifying Organization

National Institute for Metalworking Skills

Type

Core

Certificate name	Certifying Organization	Type
Machining Level I - CNC Mill Operations	National Institute for Metalworking Skills	Core
Machining Level I - Manual Turning Between Centers	National Institute for Metalworking Skills	Core
Autodesk Certified Associate in CAM 2.5 Axis Milling	Autodesk, Inc.	Product/Equipment
CNC Lathe Operations	National Institute for Metalworking Skills	Core
Machining Level I - Grinding I	National Institute for Metalworking Skills	Core

Income Percentile

The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.

Income Percentile	Income
Low (10%)	$NaN
Median (50%)	$NaN
High (90%)	$NaN

Income by Experience

This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–7 years), to senior level (8+ years).

Experience	Income
Entry Level	$50,000
Mid Level	$100,000
Senior Level	$150,000

Employability

There are currently 14,100 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to decrease to 12,300 positions, reflecting a projected decline of -13%.

The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.

Projected Job Growth of -13%

Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Median Annual Income

$47,040

Projected Job Growth

-8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.

RealisticConventional

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Median Annual Income

$42,400

Projected Job Growth

-11 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

RealisticConventional

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Median Annual Income

$44,620

Projected Job Growth

-19 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.

RealisticConventional

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Median Annual Income

$42,610

Projected Job Growth

-11 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.

RealisticConventional

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Median Annual Income

$47,110

Projected Job Growth

-11 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.

RealisticConventional

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Median Annual Income

$41,600

Projected Job Growth

+2 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

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

RealisticConventional

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

Median Annual Income

$46,410

Projected Job Growth

-8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.

RealisticConventional

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Median Annual Income

$38,260

Projected Job Growth

-2 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment.

RealisticConventional

Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Median Annual Income

$44,310

Projected Job Growth

-3 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.

RealisticConventional

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Median Annual Income

$48,550

Projected Job Growth

-9 %

Career Cluster(s)

Advanced Manufacturing

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment.

RealisticConventional

The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), with ONET® being a registered trademark of USDOL/ETA. Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA; CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED); and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).