Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Overview

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic has a national median salary of $52,800 per year, with -13.2% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

Work Values

• Support
• Working Conditions
• Independence

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
• Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
• Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
• Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
• Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.

Work Activities

• Controlling Machines and Processes
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Processing Information
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Getting Information
• Performing General Physical Activities

Detailed Work Activities

• Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished an associate's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Associate's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic:

Video Resources