Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
SOC: 51-4023 O*NET: 51-4023.00
Median Salary
$48,630
per year
Job Growth
📉 -8.3%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.
What does a Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$37,090
10th percentile
Early Career
$41,600
25th percentile
Median
$48,630
50th percentile
Experienced
$57,730
75th percentile
Top Earners
$67,500
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$37,090
25th
$41,600
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$48,630
Mean: $50,940
75th
$57,730
90th
$67,500
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $30,410 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $41,600 and $57,730
- •Salary spread is 33.2% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 22,350 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:22,500
Top Industries
Manufacturing93.6%
Primary Metal Manufacturing51%
Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing25.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-8.3%
Annual Openings:1,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)22,500
Current
2034 (Projected)20,600
-8.3%
-1,900
Employment Change
-8.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 39 locations
Ohio
1,990 jobs$49,2602.48x
Kentucky
1,640 jobs$48,6105.69x
Alabama
1,490 jobs$50,9504.90x
Texas
1,410 jobs$46,5200.70x
Michigan
1,410 jobs$43,8902.21x
Indiana
1,390 jobs$51,0003.01x
California
1,350 jobs$48,7800.52x
Tennessee
1,210 jobs$47,3402.55x
Pennsylvania
800 jobs$49,2200.92x
South Carolina
730 jobs$45,7302.21x
Illinois
660 jobs$49,4700.75x
Georgia
640 jobs$43,8100.91x
Virginia
600 jobs$46,3001.02x
Iowa
560 jobs$56,3802.47x
West Virginia
540 jobs$53,8405.28x
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
94%
#3
Quality Control Analysis
86%
#4
Monitoring
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.7
94%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
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
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Coordination
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:
Power Plant Operators82%
5 shared skills
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels82%
5 shared skills
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters82%
5 shared skills
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers82%
5 shared skills
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Critical Thinking
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Speaking
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 Rolling 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
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 moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (16)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Planning & Development (1)
1
Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Monitor machine cycles and mill operation to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Examine, inspect, and measure raw materials and finished products to verify conformance to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Read rolling orders, blueprints, and mill schedules to determine setup specifications, work sequences, product dimensions, and installation procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Manipulate controls and observe dial indicators to monitor, adjust, and regulate speeds of machine mechanisms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Start operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Set distance points between rolls, guides, meters, and stops, according to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Thread or feed sheets or rods through rolling mechanisms, or start and control mechanisms that automatically feed steel into rollers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Position, align, and secure arbors, spindles, coils, mandrels, dies, and slitting knives.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Direct and train other workers to change rolls, operate mill equipment, remove coils and cobbles, and band and load material.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •37% 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 Rolling 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?
Rolling 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 Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.68
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.58
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.06
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.99
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.99
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.95
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.6
Integrity
4.1
Self-Control
4.0
Independence
4.0
Cooperation
4.0
Stress Tolerance
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Innovation
3.7
Leadership
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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