Machine Tool Cutting Setter, Operator, and Tender Salary 2024: $46,760 Median
The median annual wage for machine tool cutting setters, operators, and tenders working with metal and plastic is $46,760, according to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That translates to roughly $22 per hour. Half of all workers in this occupation earn between $35,960 and $65,680, meaning the top 10 percent bring home over $65,680 a year.
How much Machine Tool Cutting Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn
Nationally, the mean annual wage is $49,050, or about $23.58 per hour. The BLS estimates 272,050 people work in this occupation across the U.S.
Entry-level positions start around $35,960 (10th percentile), while experienced workers in the 90th percentile earn $65,680 or more. Pay varies by industry, experience, and location.
Pay by state
While specific state-by-state figures aren’t available from the BLS for this occupation, wages tend to be highest in states with a strong manufacturing base like Michigan, Ohio, and Texas. Lower-paying states are typically those with lower cost of living or less manufacturing activity, such as Mississippi or Arkansas. Check your state’s labor department for location-specific data.
How to become Machine Tool Cutting Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Most workers enter this field with a high school diploma or equivalent. On-the-job training is common, but technical school or community college programs in machine tool technology can boost earnings and advancement. Apprenticeships combine paid work with classroom instruction. Certification from organizations like the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) can demonstrate competence and improve job prospects.
- Earn a high school diploma or GED.
- Complete on-the-job training, typically lasting a few months to a year.
- Consider a certificate or associate degree in machine tool technology.
- Pursue NIMS or other industry certifications to prove skills.
Job outlook
The BLS did not provide a projected growth figure for this specific occupation for 2024–2034. However, demand for skilled machine operators will continue as manufacturing remains a key sector. Automation may reduce the need for some entry-level positions, but workers who can set up and program advanced machines will be in higher demand.
Frequently asked questions
What does a machine tool cutting setter, operator, and tender do?
They set up, operate, and tend machines that cut, shape, or form metal or plastic parts. Duties include loading materials, adjusting speeds and feeds, monitoring machine operation, and inspecting finished parts.
Is this a good career?
It offers stable pay above minimum wage, with a median of $46,760. Advancement to CNC programmer or supervisor is possible with experience and education.
What skills are needed?
Attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, basic math, and ability to read blueprints or technical drawings. Computer skills for CNC machines are increasingly important.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Machine Tool Cutting Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic data.