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

SOC code 51-4034 · O*NET-SOC 51-4034.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production

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

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$50,620

a year

Hourly

$24.34

per hour

10th$36,670Median$50,62090th$69,700

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$52,490

$25.24 per hour

Middle 50%

$43,250 – $60,700

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$36,670 – $69,700

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

16,710

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $36,670; $17.63/hr
25th percentile: $43,250; $20.79/hr
Median percentile: $50,620; $24.34/hr
75th percentile: $60,700; $29.18/hr
90th percentile: $69,700; $33.51/hr

What do lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do?

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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.
Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.
Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.
Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 32% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)32%
Some College Courses29%
Less than a High School Diploma18%
Post-Secondary Certificate12%

Common questions

How much does a lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn?

The national median is $50,620 a year. The full range runs from $36,670 at the 10th percentile to $69,700 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension3.0/5
Active Listening3.0/5
Monitoring3.0/5
Speaking2.8/5

Knowledge areas

Production and Processing4.0/5
Mechanical3.6/5
Engineering and Technology3.6/5
Education and Training3.3/5
Administration and Management3.3/5
Customer and Personal Service3.3/5
English Language3.2/5
Mathematics3.1/5

Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Equipment Maintenance, Quality Control Analysis, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management.