Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
Also called: CNC Licensed Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Licensed Mill Operator) · CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator) · CNC Mill Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Operator) · CNC Mill Set Up Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Set Up Operator) · Machine Operator · Machine Set Up Operator
Median pay (national)
$48,310
$36,810–$75,000 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
13,810
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-14.4%
~1,100 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $75,000 versus $36,810 at the bottom 10% — 2.0x. The median of $48,310 leaves roughly 55% 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 -14.4% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 1,100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 38 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $83,240, +72% vs the national median), while Georgia sits lowest at $37,160 — a 124% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Active Listening 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.
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
- Compute dimensions, tolerances, and angles of workpieces or machines according to specifications and knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
- Select cutting speeds, feed rates, and depths of cuts, applying knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
- Turn valves or pull levers to start and regulate the flow of coolant or lubricant to work areas.
- Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
- Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
- Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
- Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.
- Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
- Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders.
Tools & technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Extensible markup language XML
- EditCNC
- G-code
- Kentech machine shop software
- M-code
- Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software
- Siemens Solid Edge
- SmartCAMcnc SmartCAM
- SWIVEL Software
- Vero Software ALPHACAM
- Vero Software Edgecam
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- Design
- Engineering and Technology