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Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Other titles employers use
Die Setter · Fabrication Operator · Machine Operator · Machine Setter · Press Brake Operator · Press Operator · Punch Press Operator · Saw Operator
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
- Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
- Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
- Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
- Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
- Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Production and Processing
Useful strengths
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Information Ordering
- Manual Dexterity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.5 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.7 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.0 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.6 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 64%
- A certificate or some college 36%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Word processing software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Inventory management software
- Industrial control software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 22,440
- Job openings each year
- 1,970
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- −14.7%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 22,440 | 1,970 | −14.7% |
| Ohio | 15,610 | 1,390 | −12.9% |
| Indiana | 11,880 | 1,090 | −8.3% |
| Texas | 11,490 | 1,100 | −1.6% |
| Illinois | 11,280 | 1,050 | −6.2% |
| Wisconsin | 9,990 | 970 | — |
| California | 7,100 | 660 | −7.8% |
| Tennessee | 6,210 | 620 | 4.4% |
| Kentucky | 6,170 | 580 | −5.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 5,930 | 550 | −8.1% |
| Alabama | 5,570 | 540 | — |
| Georgia | 4,970 | 500 | 7.8% |
| Minnesota | 4,930 | 470 | −3.5% |
| Missouri | 4,350 | 400 | −10.1% |
| North Carolina | 4,090 | 390 | −2.9% |
| New York | 4,020 | 0 | −13.7% |
| South Carolina | 2,610 | 250 | — |
| Arkansas | 2,520 | 240 | −4.2% |
| Florida | 2,390 | 230 | — |
| Iowa | 2,210 | 210 | −3.9% |
| Washington | 2,080 | 210 | 2.0% |
| Mississippi | 1,940 | 180 | −4.0% |
| New Jersey | 1,930 | 180 | −3.5% |
| Utah | 1,920 | 190 | 6.7% |
| Arizona | 1,890 | 190 | 4.4% |
| Connecticut | 1,620 | 150 | −5.3% |
| Virginia | 1,420 | 130 | −7.8% |
| Colorado | 1,380 | 130 | −2.8% |
| Kansas | 1,380 | 130 | −6.8% |
| Oklahoma | 1,250 | 120 | −8.1% |
| Oregon | 1,100 | 110 | 1.9% |
| Massachusetts | 930 | 90 | −7.9% |
| Nebraska | 920 | 90 | −4.2% |
| New Hampshire | 850 | 80 | −4.5% |
| South Dakota | 670 | 70 | −1.5% |
| West Virginia | 620 | 60 | 8.8% |
| Louisiana | 600 | 60 | — |
| Rhode Island | 480 | 50 | −5.9% |
| Nevada | 400 | 40 | — |
| North Dakota | 400 | 40 | 2.6% |
| Puerto Rico | 260 | 20 | −3.7% |
| Maryland | 250 | 20 | −10.7% |
| Delaware | 220 | 20 | −4.3% |
| Maine | 210 | 20 | −12.5% |
| New Mexico | 210 | 20 | −4.5% |
| Montana | 130 | 10 | — |
| Vermont | 120 | 10 | −7.7% |
| Idaho | 90 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Alaska | 50 | 10 | 25.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
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