world is full of willing people, some willing to work, the rest willing to let them.” - Robert Frost
“So much of what we call management consists in making it difficult for people to work.” - Peter Drucker
”Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else.” - James M. Barrie
”I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” - Thomas Jefferson
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Cutting FACTS:
Summary, What Cutting do, Work Environment, How to become one, Pay, Job Outlook, Similar Occupations and Contacts for More Information.
Metal and Plastic Machine Workers
Summary
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate automated and computer-controlled machinery.
Quick Facts: Metal and Plastic Machine Workers
2010 Median Pay $31,910 per year
$15.34 per hour
Entry-Level Education High school diploma or equivalent
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training See How to Become One
Number of Jobs, 2010 939,700
Job Outlook, 2010-20 6% (Slower than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20 56,100
What Metal and Plastic Machine Workers Do
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.
Work Environment
Metal and plastic machine workers are employed mainly in factories. Although the work is generally not dangerous, hazards exist and workers must adhere to safety standards. Most work full time, and schedules may include evenings and weekends.
How to Become a Metal or Plastic Machine Worker
A few weeks of on-the-job training are enough for most workers to learn basic machine operations, but 1 year or more is required to become highly skilled. Although a high school diploma is not required, employers prefer to hire workers who have one.
Pay
The median hourly wage of metal and plastic machine workers was $15.34 in May 2010.
Job Outlook
Employment of metal and plastic machine workers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Employment will be affected by advances in technology, changing demand for the goods these workers produce, foreign competition, and the reorganization of production processes. Despite these factors, job opportunities should be good for skilled and certified workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of metal and plastic machine workers with similar occupations.
O*NET
O*NET provides comprehensive information on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Contacts for More Information
Learn more about metal and plastic machine workers by contacting these additional resources.
What Metal and Plastic Machine Workers Do
Metal and plastic machine workers monitor and adjust machines during operation, detecting malfunctions.
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.
Duties
Metal and plastic machine workers typically do the following:
Set up machines and monitor them for unusual sound or vibration
Lift material onto machines, manually or with a hoist
Operate metal or plastic molding, casting, or coremaking machines
Adjust the machines’ speed and other settings
Adjust cutting machine settings to account for irregularities
Stop machines and remove finished products
Test and measure finished products
Remove and replace dull cutting tools
Document production numbers in a computer database
Consumer products are made with many metal and plastic parts. These parts are produced by machines that are operated by metal and plastic machine workers. In general, these workers are separated into two groups: those who set up machines for operation and those who operate machines during production.
Although many workers both set up and operate the machines, some specialize in one of the following job types:
Machine setters, or setup workers, prepare the machines before production, perform test runs, and, if necessary, adjust and make minor repairs to the machinery before and during operation.
If, for example, the cutting tool inside a machine becomes dull after extended use, it is common for a setter to remove the tool, use a grinder or file to sharpen it, and place it back into the machine.
New tools are produced by tool and die makers. For more information, see the profile on machinists and tool and die makers.
After installing the tools into a machine, setup workers often produce the initial batch of goods, inspect the products, and turn the machine over to an operator.
Machine operators and tenders monitor the machinery during operation.
After a setter prepares a machine for production, an operator observes the machine and the products it produces. Operators may have to load the machine with materials for production or adjust the machine’s speeds during production. They must periodically inspect the parts a machine produces. If they detect a minor problem, operators may fix it themselves. If the repair is more serious, they may have an industrial machinery mechanic fix it. For more information, see the profile on industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers.
Setters, operators, and tenders usually are identified by the
