Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.

Also called: Bore Mill Operator, CNC Drilling Operator (Computer Numerical Control Drilling Operator), CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), Drill Operator, Drill Press Operator, Drill Setup Operator, Machine Operator, Punch Operator, Radial Drill Operator, Setup Mill Operator, Automatic Driller and Reamer, Automatic Drilling Machine Operator, Barrel Driller, Billet Driller, Borematic Machine Operator, Borematic Operator, Borer, Boring Machine Operator, Boring Machine Setup Operator, Boring Mill Operator, Boring Mill Setup Operator, Broacher, Chamfering Machine Operator, Choke Reamer, Collet Driller, Countersinker, Dice Maker, Directional Bore Operator, Directional Drill Operator, Directional Driller, Drill Press Setup Operator, Drill Press Tender, Drill Presser, Drill Punch Operator, Driller, Drilling Operator, Fixed Route Operator, Foot Drill Operator, Gang Drill Operator, Horizontal Boring Mill Operator, Horizontal Boring Mill Setup Operator, Hub Borer, Jewel Cupping Machine Operator, Jig Bore Operator, Jig Boring Machine Setup Operator, Jig Mill Operator, Jigger, Jigger Operator, Manufacturing Associate, Manufacturing Operator, Metal Boring Mill Operator, Metal Drill Operator, Metal Drill Press Operator, Metal Drilling Machine Operator, Metal Horizontal Boring Mill Operator, Mobile Equipment Operator, Multiple Drill Operator, Multiple Spindle Drill Press Setup Operator, Plastic Bore Mill Operator, Plastic Boring Mill Operator, Plastic Radial Drill Operator, Plastic Radial Drill Press Operator, Plastic Reaming Machine Operator, Plate Driller, Press Machine Operator, Printed Circuit Boards Drill Press Operator (PCB Drill Press Operator), Printed Circuit Boards Pinner (PCB Pinner), Production Boring Machine Operator, Punch Press Operator, Radial Drill Press Operator, Radial Drill Press Setup Operator, Reamer, Reaming Machine Operator, Reaming Machine Tender, Reaming Press Operator, Recenterer, Set Up Technician (Set Up Tech), Setup Technician, Single Spindle Drill Press Setup Operator, Spot Facer, Stab Setter and Driller, Tapper, Tapper Operator, Test Borer, Tool Radial Drill Press Setup Operator, Trade Marker, Valve Seater Operator, Vertical Boring Mill Operator, Wheel Borer

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.
Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.
Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.
Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.
Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.
Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.
Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices.
Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems.
Lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Monitoring
Operation and Control
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Time Management
Quality Control Analysis
Active Learning

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (56.88% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

41,710–57,940 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-4032.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Explore setup, CNC programming, precision tooling, or process-improvement responsibilities after demonstrating safe, accurate machining.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (56.88% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic