Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
SOC: 51-9032 O*NET: 51-9032.00
Median Salary
$45,700
per year
Job Growth
📉 -2.3%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
What does a Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,890
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,540
25th percentile
Median
$45,700
50th percentile
Experienced
$52,000
75th percentile
Top Earners
$60,430
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,890
25th
$38,540
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$45,700
Mean: $46,420
75th
$52,000
90th
$60,430
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $25,540 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,540 and $52,000
- •Salary spread is 29.5% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 47,540 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:49,000
Top Industries
Manufacturing84%
Paper Manufacturing21.8%
Converted Paper Product Manufacturing20%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-2.3%
Annual Openings:5,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)49,000
Current
2034 (Projected)47,900
-2.3%
-1,100
Employment Change
-2.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
California
3,830 jobs$44,2300.69x
Ohio
3,670 jobs$45,2802.16x
Texas
3,200 jobs$40,6200.75x
North Carolina
2,950 jobs$43,1401.95x
Indiana
2,270 jobs$45,5402.31x
New York
2,160 jobs$46,8500.74x
Florida
1,830 jobs$41,8700.60x
Pennsylvania
1,720 jobs$47,5800.93x
Georgia
1,640 jobs$39,7301.10x
Wisconsin
1,620 jobs$50,7501.79x
Illinois
1,390 jobs$52,3600.74x
Minnesota
1,330 jobs$56,4301.47x
Missouri
1,210 jobs$50,2701.34x
South Carolina
1,030 jobs$46,4501.47x
Kentucky
1,020 jobs$46,2101.66x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
92%
#3
Quality Control Analysis
86%
#4
Monitoring
78%
#5
Reading Comprehension
70%
#6
Equipment Maintenance
62%
#7
Coordination
56%
#8
Critical Thinking
48%
#9
Troubleshooting
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.6
92%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate3.9
78%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.5
70%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate3.1
62%
Coordination
basic2.8
56%
Critical Thinking
basic2.4
48%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance78%
skills
3.9/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance62%
skills
3.1/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance48%
abilities
2.4/5.0
Troubleshooting
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians73%
5 shared skills
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators73%
5 shared skills
Helpers--Extraction Workers73%
5 shared skills
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers73%
5 shared skills
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders73%
5 shared skills
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators73%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Equipment Maintenance
- →Coordination
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (17)Operations & Execution (2)Training & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices, such as rulers, micrometers, or scales.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution97% perform98%
3
Stack and sort cut material for packaging, further processing, or shipping, according to types and sizes of material.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Review work orders, blueprints, specifications, or job samples to determine components, settings, and adjustments for cutting and slicing machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Type instructions on computer keyboards, push buttons to activate computer programs, or manually set cutting guides, clamps, and knives.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development88% perform92%
6
Remove defective or substandard materials from machines, and readjust machine components so that products meet standards.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Press buttons, pull levers, or depress pedals to start and operate cutting and slicing machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution82% perform88%
8
Adjust machine controls to alter position, alignment, speed, or pressure.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Maintain production records, such as quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Monitor operation of cutting or slicing machines to detect malfunctions or to determine whether supplies need replenishment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.25
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.01
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.71
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.67
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.63
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.53
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.0
Self-Control
3.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.7
Cooperation
3.6
Initiative
3.5
Integrity
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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