Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
SOC: 51-4022 O*NET: 51-4022.00
Median Salary
$49,030
per year
Job Growth
📉 -17.2%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.
What does a Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,800
10th percentile
Early Career
$42,440
25th percentile
Median
$49,030
50th percentile
Experienced
$60,130
75th percentile
Top Earners
$68,720
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,800
25th
$42,440
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$49,030
Mean: $51,680
75th
$60,130
90th
$68,720
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $31,920 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $42,440 and $60,130
- •Salary spread is 36.1% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 8,930 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:8,900
Top Industries
Manufacturing90.5%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing51.5%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only)33.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-17.2%
Annual Openings:600
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)8,900
Current
2035 (Projected)7,400
-17.2%
-1,500
Employment Change
-17.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 32 locations
Tennessee
1,140 jobs$43,8106.08x
California
750 jobs$59,2500.71x
Texas
720 jobs$37,3900.89x
Michigan
620 jobs$61,6202.46x
Virginia
560 jobs$54,2302.36x
Pennsylvania
550 jobs$50,2801.57x
Ohio
500 jobs$56,8701.58x
Indiana
450 jobs$53,5502.46x
Georgia
380 jobs$46,4901.36x
Massachusetts
310 jobs$51,7701.49x
New York
260 jobs$56,3500.46x
Illinois
230 jobs$49,7500.65x
Nebraska
200 jobs$60,4603.37x
Colorado
140 jobs$57,9700.86x
Arkansas
140 jobs$38,1201.85x
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 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Production and Processing
100%
#3
Near Vision
100%
#4
Oral Comprehension
92%
#5
Monitoring
88%
#6
Mathematics
88%
#7
Written Comprehension
82%
#8
Education and Training
76%
#9
Reading Comprehension
76%
#10
Arm-Hand Steadiness
74%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Production and Processing
advanced5.0
100%
Near Vision
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Monitoring
intermediate4.4
88%
Mathematics
intermediate4.4
88%
Written Comprehension
intermediate4.1
82%
Education and Training
intermediate3.8
76%
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
Production and Processing
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Near Vision
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance88%
skills
4.4/5.0
Mathematics
intermediateImportance88%
knowledge
4.4/5.0
Written Comprehension
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Education and Training
intermediateImportance76%
knowledge
3.8/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance76%
abilities
3.8/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Oral Expression
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Mechanical
intermediateImportance64%
knowledge
3.2/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders83%
5 shared skills
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders71%
5 shared skills
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders71%
5 shared skills
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers67%
4 shared skills
Crane and Tower Operators67%
5 shared skills
Recycling and Reclamation Workers67%
4 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Production and Processing
- ✓Mathematics
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Mechanical
- →Engineering and Technology
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Production and Processing
- ✓Mathematics
- ✓Near Vision
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Production and Processing
- ★Mathematics
- ★Near Vision
- ★Oral Comprehension
- ★Written 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 Forging Machine 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
Technology Stack
Technology stack information is being compiled for this career.
📚 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
13
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Measure and inspect machined parts to ensure conformance to product specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Read work orders or blueprints to determine specified tolerances and sequences of operations for machine setup.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Start machines to produce sample workpieces, and observe operations to detect machine malfunctions and to verify that machine setups conform to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Remove dies from machines when production runs are finished.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Turn handles or knobs to set pressures and depths of ram strokes and to synchronize machine operations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Confer with other workers about machine setups and operational specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Repair, maintain, and replace parts on dies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Set up, operate, or tend presses and forging machines to perform hot or cold forging by flattening, straightening, bending, cutting, piercing, or other operations to taper, shape, or form metal.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution79% perform86%
9
Position and move metal wires or workpieces through a series of dies that compress and shape stock to form die impressions.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Install, adjust, and remove dies, synchronizing cams, forging hammers, and stop guides, using overhead cranes or other hoisting devices, and hand tools.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •54% 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 Forging Machine 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?
Forging Machine 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 Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.44
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.31
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.06
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.90
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.87
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.81
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.4
Dependability
4.3
Cooperation
4.1
Integrity
3.9
Self-Control
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Initiative
3.8
Leadership
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Independence
3.8
💡 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
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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Maysville, KY
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649 program completions/year