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.
Also called: Die Setter · Fabrication Operator · Machine Operator · Machine Setter · Press Brake Operator · Press Operator
Median pay (national)
$45,590
$35,000–$62,650 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
174,430
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-12.1%
~14,400 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $62,650 versus $35,000 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $45,590 leaves roughly 37% 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 -12.1% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 14,400 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 50 states with released data, West Virginia pays the most for this role (median $53,460, +17% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $23,470 — a 128% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, 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.
Tailor your resume to Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools.
- Clean work area.
- Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
- Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines.
- Turn controls to set cutting speeds, feed rates, or table angles for specified operations.
- Lubricate workpieces with oil.
Tools & technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- SAP software
- Automated inventory software
- Computerized numerical control CNC software
- Operational databases
- Striker Systems SS-Punch
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Design
- Computers and Electronics