Production
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.
MAY 2025 · OCCUPATIONAL WAGES
A wage reference for United States.
Published wage percentiles describe a distribution within the source occupation group. They provide context for a career decision; employer packages and job offers have their own terms.
Source wage group: Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
This wage group may include multiple detailed occupations. The figures are for the source group, which may be broader than Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. They are not an exact-title, employer, experience or seniority match.
May 2025 · USD · United States. Annual and hourly figures are shown only when the source publishes them; neither is calculated from the other.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data, distributed through the O*NET® OnLine service.
Median annual wage$47,180USD per year · Published 50th percentile
Median hourly wage$22.68USD per hour · Published 50th percentile
Annual wage thresholds
USD per year
Hourly wage thresholds
USD per hour
| Percentile | Annual wage (USD/year) | Hourly wage (USD/hour) |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| 25th | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| 50th · Median | $47,180 | $22.68 |
| 75th | $57,800 | $27.79 |
| 90th | $74,450 | $35.79 |
“≥” means at least the published amount; “≤” means at most that amount. These are bounds, not exact values. “Not published” means the source did not provide that figure. Occupational wages follow the source definition and do not establish an employer’s base salary, equity or total compensation.
PUT A WAGE IN CONTEXT
Where does your number sit?
Compare an entered wage with the published thresholds for United States. Your entry stays on this page.
This compares wage amounts to published percentile thresholds. It does not estimate your personal percentile, adjust for your experience, or compare total compensation. Match the wage definition and occupation group before using the result.
THE WORK BEHIND THE TITLE
What this career involves.
Occupation definitions describe common work. Responsibilities and requirements vary by employer and specific job.
Selected title examples
Automatic Wheel-Line OperatorBallistics Laboratory GunsmithCell TechnicianCentrifugal Control Switch Machine OperatorClock Machine SetterCNC Machine Setter (Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Setter)Combination Machine Tool OperatorCombination Machine Tool SetterElectrode Turner and FinisherFabrication Set-Up PersonFour Slide Machine SetterFour-Slide Machine Setter
Expand more title examples (48)
Gear Cutting Machine Set-Up OperatorGear Cutting Machine Setup OperatorGear Hobber Set-Up OperatorGear Hobber Setup OperatorGear Milling Machine Set-Up OperatorGear Shaper Set-Up OperatorGear Shaver Set-Up OperatorGunsmithInjection Molding TechnicianLay Up TechnicianLoading Machine Tool SetterMachine OperatorMachine Set-Up OperatorMachine Set-Up TechnicianMachine SetterMachine Shop Machine SetterMachine TechnicianMachine Tool OperatorMachine Try-Out SetterMachine Tryout SetterManufacturing AssociateManufacturing OperatorMetal and Plastic Combination Machine Tool OperatorMetal and Plastic Combination Machine Tool SetterMetal and Plastic Transfer Machine OperatorMold Set Up TechnicianMold SetterMulti-Operation Forming Machine OperatorMulti-Operation Forming Machine SetterProduction Gear Cutting Machine OperatorProduction Machine TenderProduction OperatorRim Roller OperatorRim TechnicianSet Up Technician (Set Up Tech)Shear OperatorSpiral Bevel Gear Generator Set-Up OperatorSpring MakerSpring Manufacturing Set-Up TechnicianSpring Manufacturing Setup TechnicianStraight Bevel Gear Generator Set-Up OperatorTest and Turn-Up TechnicianTool Gear Cutting Machine Set-Up OperatorTool Machine Setup OperatorTool OperatorTooling Set-Up PersonTransfer Machine OperatorTrim Machine Operator
Typical 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.
Expand more tasks (15)
- 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.
- Remove burrs, sharp edges, rust, or scale from workpieces, using files, hand grinders, wire brushes, or power tools.
- Perform minor machine maintenance, such as oiling or cleaning machines, dies, or workpieces, or adding coolant to machine reservoirs.
- 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.
Skills used in this work
- Operations Monitoring
- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Quality Control Analysis
- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Equipment Maintenance
- Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Monitoring
- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Operation and Control
- Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Expand more skills (29)
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Repairing
- Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
- Social Perceptiveness
- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Troubleshooting
- Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Instructing
- Teaching others how to do something.
- Writing
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Equipment Selection
- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
- Learning Strategies
- Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Persuasion
- Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
- Service Orientation
- Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Systems Analysis
- Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Mathematics
- Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Negotiation
- Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
- Systems Evaluation
- Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
- Installation
- Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
- Management of Financial Resources
- Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
- Management of Material Resources
- Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work.
- Operations Analysis
- Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
- Programming
- Writing computer programs for various purposes.
- Technology Design
- Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
- Science
- Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
FIND YOUR MARKET
United States wage reference Explore wages by location.
0 retained state and local wage references are available. Start with these selected locations, or search the full market directory for this career.
Local wage references are not retained for this occupation. The national view and employer evidence may still help.
Browse all wage markets
Available links reflect retained source coverage for this career.
TURN CONTEXT INTO A NEXT STEP
Find the next step that fits.
Look at current disclosed job ranges, explore supported employer salary evidence, or build a proposed hiring range with your own assumptions.