Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.

Also called: Cell Technician, CNC Machine Setter (Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Setter), Fabrication Set-Up Person, Injection Molding Technician, Machine Operator, Machine Technician, Mold Setter, Production Operator, Shear Operator, Tooling Set-Up Person, Automatic Wheel-Line Operator, Ballistics Laboratory Gunsmith, Centrifugal Control Switch Machine Operator, Clock Machine Setter, Combination Machine Tool Operator, Combination Machine Tool Setter, Electrode Turner and Finisher, Four Slide Machine Setter, Four-Slide Machine Setter, Gear Cutting Machine Set-Up Operator, Gear Cutting Machine Setup Operator, Gear Hobber Set-Up Operator, Gear Hobber Setup Operator, Gear Milling Machine Set-Up Operator, Gear Shaper Set-Up Operator, Gear Shaver Set-Up Operator, Gunsmith, Lay Up Technician, Loading Machine Tool Setter, Machine Set-Up Operator, Machine Set-Up Technician, Machine Setter, Machine Shop Machine Setter, Machine Tool Operator, Machine Try-Out Setter, Machine Tryout Setter, Manufacturing Associate, Manufacturing Operator, Metal and Plastic Combination Machine Tool Operator, Metal and Plastic Combination Machine Tool Setter, Metal and Plastic Transfer Machine Operator, Mold Set Up Technician, Multi-Operation Forming Machine Operator, Multi-Operation Forming Machine Setter, Production Gear Cutting Machine Operator, Production Machine Tender, Rim Roller Operator, Rim Technician, Set Up Technician (Set Up Tech), Spiral Bevel Gear Generator Set-Up Operator, Spring Maker, Spring Manufacturing Set-Up Technician, Spring Manufacturing Setup Technician, Straight Bevel Gear Generator Set-Up Operator, Test and Turn-Up Technician, Tool Gear Cutting Machine Set-Up Operator, Tool Machine Setup Operator, Tool Operator, Transfer Machine Operator, Trim Machine Operator, Utility Operator, Weigh Up Technician

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

What the worker does

Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments.
Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists.
Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences.
Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.
Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary.
Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, cutters, shears, borers, millers, grinders, presses, drills, or auxiliary machines, to make metallic and plastic workpieces.
Change worn machine accessories, such as cutting tools or brushes, using hand tools.
Set machine stops or guides to specified lengths as indicated by scales, rules, or templates.
Select the proper coolants and lubricants and start their flow.
Remove burrs, sharp edges, rust, or scale from workpieces, using files, hand grinders, wire brushes, or power tools.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operations Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis
Monitoring
Operation and Control
Equipment Maintenance
Judgment and Decision Making
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness
Complex Problem Solving

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (81.65% 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

39,420–57,800 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-4081.

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) (81.65% 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.

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic