Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
Also called: Cutter · Cutter Operator · Cutting Pressman · Die Cutter Operator · Flat Cutter · Machine Operator
Median pay (national)
$45,700
$34,890–$60,430 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
47,540
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-2.3%
~5,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $60,430 versus $34,890 at the bottom 10% — 1.7x. The median of $45,700 leaves roughly 32% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -2.3% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 5,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 48 states with released data, Minnesota pays the most for this role (median $56,430, +23% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $21,860 — a 158% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices, such as rulers, micrometers, or scales.
- Press buttons, pull levers, or depress pedals to start and operate cutting and slicing machines.
- Monitor operation of cutting or slicing machines to detect malfunctions or to determine whether supplies need replenishment.
- Adjust machine controls to alter position, alignment, speed, or pressure.
- Remove completed materials or products from cutting or slicing machines, and stack or store them for additional processing.
- Remove defective or substandard materials from machines, and readjust machine components so that products meet standards.
- Review work orders, blueprints, specifications, or job samples to determine components, settings, and adjustments for cutting and slicing machines.
- Start machines to verify setups, and make any necessary adjustments.
- Maintain production records, such as quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
Tools & technology
- SAP software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security