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, Mill Operator, Miller, Milling Operator, Setup Man, Barrel Rib Matting Machine Operator, Barrel Rifler, Boring Mill Operator, Broacher, Broaching Machine Operator, Broaching Machine Set Up Operator, CNC Milling Operator (Computer Numerical Control Milling Operator), Escape Wheel Tooth Cutter, Feed Mill Operator, File Cutter, Gear Milling Machine Set Up Operator, Gear Roller, Grind Operator, Grinder Operator, Hooking Machine Operator, Keyseater Operator, Keyseating Machine Set Up Operator, Lever Miller, Machine Shop Pantograph Machine Operator, Magnesium Mill Operator, Manual Mill Operator, Manufacturing Operator, Metal Milling Machine Operator, Metal Rotary Head Milling Machine Setup Operator, Milling and Planing Machine Operator and Tender, Milling Machine Operator, Milling Machine Setup Operator, Milling Machine Tender, Operator, Pantograph Machine Setup Operator, Planer Setup Operator, Planer Type Milling Machine Setup Operator, Planing Machine Operator, Plastic Thread Milling Machine Setup Operator, Printed Circuit Boards Beveler (PCB Beveler), Printed Circuit Boards Router (PCB Router), Production Broaching Machine Operator, Profiler, Profiler Operator, Profiling Machine Operator, Profiling Machine Setup Operator, Rolling Mill Operator, Rotary Head Milling Machine Setup Operator, Router Machine Operator, Router Operator, Scalper, Scalper Operator, Scalping Machine Operator, Scribing Machine Operator, Shaper Operator, Shaper Setup Operator, Shaping Machine Operator, Shift Operator, Squaring Machine Operator, Steel Wool Machine Operator, Thread Milling Machine Set Up Operator, Tire Mold Engraver, Tool Planer Setup Operator, Tool Profiling Machine Setup Operator, Tool Shaper Setup Operator, Tooth Cutter, Wheel Cutter

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

What the worker does

Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
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.
Study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations.
Compute dimensions, tolerances, and angles of workpieces or machines according to specifications and knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
Move cutters or material manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to mill workpieces to specifications.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Quality Control Analysis
Coordination
Complex Problem Solving
Troubleshooting
Writing

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (47.30% 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

45,210–64,900 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-4035.

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) (47.30% 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.

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic