Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.
Also called: Extruder Operator · Extrusion Operator · Glass Forming Crew Member · Machine Operator · Press Operator · Tuber Operator
Median pay (national)
$45,130
$34,790–$64,660 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
57,310
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+2%
~5,200 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $64,660 versus $34,790 at the bottom 10% — 1.9x. The median of $45,130 leaves roughly 43% 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% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 5,200 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 47 states with released data, Montana pays the most for this role (median $58,060, +29% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $22,600 — a 157% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Monitoring, Speaking, Reading Comprehension 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
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions.
- Turn controls to adjust machine functions, such as regulating air pressure, creating vacuums, and adjusting coolant flow.
- Clean dies, arbors, compression chambers, and molds, using swabs, sponges, or air hoses.
- Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
- Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
- Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.
- Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
- Review work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines.
- Synchronize speeds of sections of machines when producing products involving several steps or processes.
Tools & technology
- SAP software
- Operational databases
- Production scheduling software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Food Production
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security