Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
SOC: 51-4034 O*NET: 51-4034.00
Median Salary
$48,620
per year
Job Growth
📉 -13.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
What does a Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,200
10th percentile
Early Career
$41,180
25th percentile
Median
$48,620
50th percentile
Experienced
$58,100
75th percentile
Top Earners
$65,450
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,200
25th
$41,180
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$48,620
Mean: $50,190
75th
$58,100
90th
$65,450
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $29,250 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $41,180 and $58,100
- •Salary spread is 34.8% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 18,970 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:18,900
Top Industries
Manufacturing94.9%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing57.5%
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing34.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-13.6%
Annual Openings:1,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)18,900
Current
2034 (Projected)16,400
-13.6%
-2,600
Employment Change
-13.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 40 locations
California
2,330 jobs$47,6601.05x
Texas
2,100 jobs$47,4501.23x
Michigan
1,750 jobs$46,4703.24x
Ohio
1,500 jobs$47,8902.20x
Illinois
1,430 jobs$55,6201.91x
Indiana
1,250 jobs$52,1903.18x
Tennessee
1,060 jobs$46,4002.62x
Connecticut
800 jobs$47,8603.85x
New York
790 jobs$49,6500.67x
Pennsylvania
760 jobs$58,9101.02x
North Carolina
460 jobs$50,5800.76x
Massachusetts
420 jobs$59,4300.94x
Wisconsin
410 jobs$51,5401.13x
Florida
360 jobs$46,4900.30x
Arizona
260 jobs$52,6200.65x
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
90%
#3
Quality Control Analysis
80%
#4
Equipment Maintenance
70%
#5
Active Listening
60%
#6
Reading Comprehension
50%
#7
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.5
90%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.0
80%
Equipment Maintenance
intermediate3.5
70%
Active Listening
intermediate3.0
60%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.5
50%
Monitoring
basic2.0
40%
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
advancedImportance90%
abilities
4.5/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Equipment Maintenance
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance50%
abilities
2.5/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Logging Equipment Operators75%
5 shared skills
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators70%
5 shared skills
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators70%
5 shared skills
Etchers and Engravers67%
5 shared skills
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders67%
5 shared skills
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders63%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Equipment Maintenance
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 Lathe and Turning 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
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
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡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 some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)Training & Development (2)Management & Supervision (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development97% perform98%
3
Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development85% perform90%
7
Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •39% 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 Lathe and Turning 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?
Lathe and Turning 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 Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.28
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.13
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.92
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.88
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.82
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.80
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.3
Dependability
4.1
Initiative
3.9
Cooperation
3.9
Achievement/Effort
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Self-Control
3.8
Independence
3.7
Persistence
3.7
💡 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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