Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.

Also called: Extruder Operator, Extrusion Operator, Glass Forming Crew Member, Machine Operator, Press Operator, Tuber Operator, Abrasive Wheel Molder, Air Bag Curer, Alfalfa Dehydrator Operator, Arch Cushion Press Operator, Artificial Log Machine Operator, Auger Press Operator, Automatic Lump Making Machine Tender, Bag Bailer, Bag Builder, Bailer, Bailing Machine Operator, Baler, Baler Operator, Baling Machine Operator, Bark Press Operator, Belt Press Operator, Block Maker, Block Making Machine Operator, Block Press Operator, Blow Molding Machine Operator, Bottle Machine Operator, Bowling Ball Molder, Brick and Tile Making Machine Operator, Brick and Tile Making Machine Set Up Operator, Brick Maker, Briquette Maker, Briquette Operator, Briquetter Operator, Briquetting Machine Operator, Broom Builder, Broom Bundler, Buckle Frame Shaper, Butt Maker, Cake Former, Cake Press Operator, Calender Operator, Calender Roll Press Operator, Candle Extrusion Machine Operator, Candle Molder, Candy Depositing Machine Operator, Carbon Dioxide Operator, Casting Machine Operator, Casting Operator, Casting Room Operator, Cement Block Maker, Center Machine Operator, Center Machine Set-Up Operator, Chalk Extruding Machine Operator, Chalk Machine Operator, Chalk Molding Machine Operator, Cigar Making Machine Operator, Cigarette Book Maker, Cigarette Filter Making Machine Operator, Cigarette Machine Operator, Cigarette Maker, Cigarette Making Machine Operator, Cigarette Roller, Cigarette Stamper, Cinder Block Maker, Clay Caster, Clay Press Operator, Combine Operator, Combining Machine Operator, Compacting Machine Operator, Compacting Machine Tender, Compress Machine Operator, Compressor, Compressor Mechanic, Compressor Operator, Concrete Block Maker, Concrete Block Molder, Concrete Pipe Making Machine Operator, Confectionery Drops Machine Operator, Core Extruder, Core Shaper, Cork Molder, Corn Press Operator, Cosmetics Presser, Cotton Presser, Cracker and Cookie Machine Operator, Crate Opener, Crown Assembly Machine Set-Up Mechanic, Crusher Operator, Curing Press Operator, Dampener Operator, Dehydrating Press Operator, Die Press Operator, Die Presser, Die Tripper, Dipper, Dipper Machine Operator, Dipping Machine Operator, Divider, Divider Operator, Dividing Machine Operator, Domer, Drawbench Operator, Drawing Kiln Operator, Drawing Machine Operator, Dry Press Operator, Electronic Gluing Machine Operator, Extracting Machine Operator, Extruder, Extruder Tender, Extruding Machine Operator, Extruding Machine Setter, Extruding Machine Tender, Extruding Press Operator, Extrusion Machine Operator, Extrusion Press Operator, Fiberglass Dowel Drawing Machine Operator, Fiberglass Luggage Molder, Finishing Area Operator, Flakeboard Line Tender, Flaking Roll Operator, Flatware Maker, Floor Molder, Flower Pot Press Operator, Foam Rubber Molder, Foil Operator, Foiling Machine Operator, Former, Forming Machine Operator, Forming Machine Tender, Forming Machine Upkeep Mechanic, Forming Operator, Fruit Press Operator, Glass Bulb Machine Adjuster, Glass Ribbon Machine Operator, Glass Rolling Machine Operator, Gluing Machine Operator, Gold Leaf Roller, Golf Ball Molder, Graining Press Operator, Hardboard Press Operator, Hot Box Operator, Hot Plate Press Operator, Hot Press Operator, Hydraulic Billet Maker, Hydraulic Press Operator, Insulation Board Coater Operator, Job Molder, Jordan Man, Jordan Worker, Laminating Machine Operator, Laminating Machine Tender, Laminator, Lap Machine Tender, Lens Molding Equipment Operator, Light Bulb Assembler, Light Equipment Operator, Lozenge Maker, Lump Machine Operator, Lump Maker, Lump Roller, Machine Candle Molder, Machine Chocolate Molder, Machine Joiner Cementer, Machine Molder, Manual Control Auger Press Operator, Manual Controller, Manual Machine Operator, Marble Machine Tender, Mat Puncher, Matting Press Tender, Meat Press Operator, Metal Baler, Mica Plate Layer, Molder Machine Tender, Molding Machine Operator, Molding Press Operator, Necker, Noodle Catalyst Maker, Nozzle Operator, Pan Pusher, Pan Shover, Pan Tank Worker, Paper Baler, Paper Baling Machine Operator, Paper Bundler, Paper Cone Machine Tender, Paper Cup Machine Operator, Pellet Machine Operator, Pellet Mill Operator, Pellet Press Operator, Pilling Machine Operator, Plate Molder, Plate Worker, Plodder Operator, Plodding Machine Operator, Plodding Operator, Polystyrene Bead Molder, Polystyrene Molding Machine Tender, Precast Molder, Press Loader, Press Machine Feeder, Press Machine Operator, Press Tender, Presser, Presto Log Operator, Pretzel Twisting Machine Operator, Printed Circuit Boards Laminator, Pulp Machine Operator, Pulp Press Tender, Pump Press Operator, Pyrotechnics Press Tender, Ram Press Operator, Ram-Press Operator, Rebrander, Record Maker, Record Press Operator, Record Press Tender, Record Pressman, Retort or Condenser Press Operator, Retort Press Operator, Roller, Rolling Machine Operator, Rubber Extrusion Operator, Rubber Mill Operator, Rubber Mold Maker, Rubber Press Tender, Rubber Tubing Splicer, Scrap Baler, Screen Handler, Sectional Belt-Mold Assembler, Shift Operator, Sizing Machine Operator, Slug Press Operator, Sole Conforming Machine Operator, Spinner, Sponge Press Operator, Stamper, Steam Press Operator, Steam Press Tender, Steam Presser, Steam Roller Operator, Steeping Press Operator, Steeping Press Tender, Stem Crusher, Stem Roller, Stem Roller Operator, Stringing Machine Operator, Sucker Machine Operator, Sugar Presser, Sweet Goods Machine Operator, Synthetic Gem Press Operator, Tablet Machine Operator, Tankage Grinder, Tankman, Thermal Molder, Tile Presser, Tray Casting Machine Operator, Tube Building Machine Operator, Tuber Machine Operator, Tubular Stock Glass Bulb Machine Former, Turning and Beading Machine Operator, V-Belt Curer, Vulcanized Fiber Unit Operator, Vulcanizing Press Operator, Wad Compressor Adjuster, Wad Compressor Operator, Wax Molder, Wet Machine Operator, Wet Machine Tender, Wet Press Tender, Wind Up Operator, Wink Cutter Operator, Wood Fuel Pelletizer, Yardage Control Operator, Yardage Control Operator, Forming

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

What the worker does

Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions.
Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products.
Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.
Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
Review work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines.
Turn controls to adjust machine functions, such as regulating air pressure, creating vacuums, and adjusting coolant flow.
Clean dies, arbors, compression chambers, and molds, using swabs, sponges, or air hoses.

Skills, machines and equipment

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

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (78.21% 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

38,360–52,580 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-9041.

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

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
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) (78.21% 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.

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders