Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials, such as liquid polymer, rayon, and fiberglass.
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
SOC: 51-6091 O*NET: 51-6091.00
Median Salary
$44,980
per year
Job Growth
📉 -1.1%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials, such as liquid polymer, rayon, and fiberglass.
What does a Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers do?
How much can you earn?
Salary Distribution by Percentile
Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.
10th
$26,988
25th
$35,984
50th (Median)
$44,980
75th
$53,976
90th
$67,470
Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.
Typical Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
- ✓Health Insurance
- ✓Dental Insurance
- ✓Vision Insurance
- ✓Mental Health Support
- ✓Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits
- ✓401(k) Retirement Plan
- ✓Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
- ✓Profit Sharing
- ✓Stock Options
- ✓Performance Bonuses
Work-Life Balance
- ✓Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
- ✓Paid Sick Leave
- ✓Flexible Work Arrangements
- ✓Remote Work Options
- ✓Parental Leave
Professional Development
- ✓Tuition Reimbursement
- ✓Professional Certifications
- ✓Conference Attendance
- ✓Training Programs
- ✓Mentorship Opportunities
Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:15,200
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-1.1%
Annual Openings:2,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)15,200
Current
2034 (Projected)15,000
-1.1%
-200
Employment Change
-1.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
94%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Time Management
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Active Listening
54%
#9
Quality Control Analysis
46%
#10
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Active Listening
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
Operation and Control
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders82%
5 shared skills
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters82%
5 shared skills
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters82%
5 shared skills
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers73%
5 shared skills
Highway Maintenance Workers70%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
- →Active Listening
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
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 Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
Technology Intensity
Medium
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
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
VERY HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT 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 very high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What education is required?
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience Required
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Job Training
Training of a few months to a year