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Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
Other titles employers use
Bore Mill Operator · CNC Drilling Operator (Computer Numerical Control Drilling Operator) · CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist) · Drill Operator · Drill Press Operator · Drill Setup Operator · Machine Operator · Punch Operator
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.
- Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
- Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.
- Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.
- Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.
- Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.
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
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Subjects to know
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
Useful strengths
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Information Ordering
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 | 3.2 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.9 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.4 | 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 67%
- A certificate or some college 14%
- A two-year degree 12%
- A four-year degree 7%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite 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
- 670
- Job openings each year
- 80
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- −9.5%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 670 | 80 | −9.5% |
| Illinois | 430 | 50 | −18.9% |
| Texas | 390 | 50 | −17.0% |
| Michigan | 340 | 40 | −20.9% |
| Indiana | 300 | 40 | −18.9% |
| Iowa | 260 | 30 | −10.3% |
| North Carolina | 200 | 30 | −13.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 180 | 20 | −14.3% |
| Missouri | 170 | 20 | −15.0% |
| Ohio | 170 | 20 | −19.0% |
| Oregon | 150 | 20 | −11.8% |
| Louisiana | 130 | 20 | −18.8% |
| Minnesota | 100 | 10 | −9.1% |
| Wisconsin | 100 | 10 | −16.7% |
| Oklahoma | 70 | 10 | −22.2% |
| Utah | 70 | 10 | — |
| West Virginia | 70 | 10 | — |
| New Jersey | 60 | 10 | −14.3% |
| Virginia | 60 | 10 | — |
| Nebraska | 50 | 10 | −16.7% |
| Colorado | 40 | 0 | — |
| Kentucky | 40 | 0 | — |
| Mississippi | 40 | 0 | −20.0% |
| Florida | 30 | 0 | −25.0% |
| New Hampshire | 30 | 0 | −25.0% |
| North Dakota | 30 | 0 | — |
| Washington | 30 | 0 | — |
| Rhode Island | 20 | 0 | −33.3% |
| Idaho | 10 | 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
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.