Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
SOC code 51-4081 · O*NET-SOC 51-4081.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Multiple 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
$47,180
a year
Hourly
$22.68
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$50,030
$24.05 per hour
Middle 50%
$39,420 – $57,800
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$35,780 – $74,450
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
124,590
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $35,780
- $17.20/hr
- 25th percentile
- $39,420
- $18.95/hr
- Median percentile
- $47,180
- $22.68/hr
- 75th percentile
- $57,800
- $27.79/hr
- 90th percentile
- $74,450
- $35.79/hr
What do multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do?
Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Measure and mark reference points and cutting lines on workpieces, using traced templates, compasses, and rules.
- Change worn machine accessories, such as cutting tools or brushes, using hand tools.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 82% 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.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)82%
- Post-Secondary Certificate8%
- Some College Courses6%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4%
Common questions
How much does a multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn?
The national median is $47,180 a year. The full range runs from $35,780 at the 10th percentile to $74,450 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 multiple 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
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing4.1/5
- Mechanical3.9/5
- Mathematics3.6/5
- English Language3.3/5
- Design3.1/5
- Education and Training2.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.8/5
- Engineering and Technology2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Operation and Control, Equipment Maintenance, Judgment and Decision Making.