Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
SOC: 51-4035 O*NET: 51-4035.00
Median Salary
$48,310
per year
Job Growth
📉 -14.4%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
What does a Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,810
10th percentile
Early Career
$41,650
25th percentile
Median
$48,310
50th percentile
Experienced
$61,290
75th percentile
Top Earners
$75,000
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,810
25th
$41,650
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$48,310
Mean: $52,940
75th
$61,290
90th
$75,000
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $38,190 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $41,650 and $61,290
- •Salary spread is 40.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 13,810 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:13,800
Top Industries
Manufacturing84.9%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing29.1%
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing18.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-14.4%
Annual Openings:1,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)13,800
Current
2034 (Projected)11,800
-14.4%
-2,000
Employment Change
-14.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 38 locations
California
1,890 jobs$54,9601.17x
Michigan
1,370 jobs$46,2803.47x
Tennessee
1,280 jobs$43,9304.38x
Ohio
1,170 jobs$47,7702.37x
Indiana
790 jobs$54,0702.76x
Texas
680 jobs$41,1400.55x
Illinois
570 jobs$64,0601.04x
New York
560 jobs$55,2400.66x
North Carolina
440 jobs$51,1301.00x
Missouri
440 jobs$38,3301.70x
Pennsylvania
410 jobs$49,0300.76x
Kentucky
350 jobs$60,2701.97x
Iowa
320 jobs$57,3002.30x
Massachusetts
290 jobs$57,8900.90x
Wisconsin
220 jobs$53,5300.85x
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 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
86%
#3
Monitoring
70%
#4
Critical Thinking
56%
#5
Active Listening
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate3.5
70%
Critical Thinking
basic2.8
56%
Active Listening
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
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance56%
abilities
2.8/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Tire Builders100%
5 shared skills
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders83%
5 shared skills
Pourers and Casters, Metal83%
5 shared skills
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders83%
5 shared skills
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers80%
4 shared skills
Recycling and Reclamation Workers80%
4 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★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 Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechExtensible markup language XML
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Extensible markup language XML
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
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
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 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
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Planning & Development (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation91% perform94%
5
Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Compute dimensions, tolerances, and angles of workpieces or machines according to specifications and knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Select cutting speeds, feed rates, and depths of cuts, applying knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Move cutters or material manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to mill workpieces to specifications.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •47% 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 Milling and Planing 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?
Milling and Planing 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 Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.46
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.33
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.00
Persistence
ImportantPersistence
Importance Level3.92
Stress Tolerance
ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level3.91
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.87
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.3
Self-Control
4.0
Persistence
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Independence
3.9
Initiative
3.9
Integrity
3.8
Cooperation
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
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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