Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
SOC: 51-4032 O*NET: 51-4032.00
Median Salary
$46,630
per year
Job Growth
📉 -19.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
What does a Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,360
10th percentile
Early Career
$41,100
25th percentile
Median
$46,630
50th percentile
Experienced
$56,820
75th percentile
Top Earners
$65,200
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,360
25th
$41,100
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$46,630
Mean: $50,330
75th
$56,820
90th
$65,200
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $29,840 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $41,100 and $56,820
- •Salary spread is 33.7% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 5,310 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:5,300
Top Industries
Manufacturing91.7%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing27.3%
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing24.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-19.6%
Annual Openings:400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)5,300
Current
2034 (Projected)4,300
-19.6%
-1,000
Employment Change
-19.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 31 locations
Tennessee
750 jobs$46,5906.68x
California
690 jobs$48,2201.10x
Ohio
420 jobs$50,0902.19x
Indiana
330 jobs$37,9103.02x
Illinois
250 jobs$56,2001.20x
Texas
220 jobs$43,6000.46x
Michigan
170 jobs$43,8701.13x
Florida
160 jobs$62,4000.46x
Pennsylvania
160 jobs$58,2000.77x
Iowa
150 jobs$47,1102.77x
Minnesota
120 jobs$44,8301.18x
Alabama
110 jobs$40,0301.54x
North Carolina
90 jobs$47,6400.53x
Massachusetts
80 jobs$74,6800.61x
Maine
80 jobs$47,0903.54x
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
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Operation and Control
86%
#4
Monitoring
80%
#5
Time Management
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Active Listening
60%
#8
Critical Thinking
54%
#9
Speaking
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Operation and Control
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Time Management
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Active Listening
intermediate3.0
60%
Critical Thinking
basic2.7
54%
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
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Crane and Tower Operators90%
5 shared skills
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer90%
5 shared skills
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators82%
5 shared skills
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels82%
5 shared skills
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Operation and Control
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 Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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
SAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
SAP software
Microsoft Office 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
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY 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 moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (10)Training & Development (2)Management & Supervision (2)Operations & Execution (3)
1
Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development97% perform98%
3
Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development94% perform96%
4
Install tools in spindles.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Turn valves and direct flow of coolants or cutting oil over cutting areas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision79% perform86%
9
Operate single- or multiple-spindle drill presses to bore holes so that machining operations can be performed on metal or plastic workpieces.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution76% perform84%
10
Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •41% 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 Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
💡 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?
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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 Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.93
Analytical Thinking
CriticalAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.54
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.49
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.47
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.35
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.32
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.9
Analytical Thinking
4.5
Cooperation
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Independence
4.3
Integrity
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Persistence
4.1
Initiative
4.1
Self-Control
4.0
💡 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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