Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn a median of $46,570 per year ($22.39/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 0.9% through 2035, with about 5,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-9032
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender in four numbers
- Median pay
- $46,570a year, or $22.39/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $36KTop 10% $61K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -0.9%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−0.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −0.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5,40045,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202545.9K
- Projected 203545.5K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 45.9K Projected 2035 45.5K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Cutter, Cutter Operator, Cutting Machine Operator, Die Cutter Operator, Flat Cutter, Machine Operator.
Pay
How much do Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make?
Every cutting and slicing machine setter, operator, and tender in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$46,570
Middle half earn $39,440 to $53,800
- 10th
- $35,930
- 25th
- $39,440
- 75th
- $53,800
- 90th
- $61,120
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $35,930 |
| 25th | $39,440 |
| Median | $46,570 |
| 75th | $53,800 |
| 90th | $61,120 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $46,570
- Median hourly wage
- $22.39/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $47,460
- People employed
- 44,980
Versus all US occupations
At $46,570, Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn 9% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $4,410 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 3% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $61,120 or more while the bottom 10% earn $35,930, a gap of 1.7×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 15% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Minnesota pays the most at $58,260, and still leads at $59,075 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Minnesota | $58,260 | $59,075 | 1,130 |
| 2Vermont | $52,220 | $53,309 | 100 |
| 3Colorado | $51,750 | $50,217 | 700 |
| 4Montana | $51,540 | $54,456 | 100 |
| 5Oregon | $51,180 | $49,516 | 990 |
| 6Missouri | $50,930 | $56,080 | 1,120 |
| 7Washington | $50,430 | $47,125 | 760 |
| 8New Hampshire | $50,290 | $48,279 | 90 |
| 9Illinois | $49,740 | $49,761 | 1,770 |
| 10New York | $49,680 | $46,034 | 1,870 |
Job outlook
Is Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -0.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | −0.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders to change -0.9% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 400 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 5,400 openings are projected each year, 11.8% of the 45,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
The work
What does a Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender do?
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
Day-to-day tasks
- Remove defective or substandard materials from machines, and readjust machine components so that products meet standards.
- Review work orders, blueprints, specifications, or job samples to determine components, settings, and adjustments for cutting and slicing machines.
- Start machines to verify setups, and make any necessary adjustments.
- Type instructions on computer keyboards, push buttons to activate computer programs, or manually set cutting guides, clamps, and knives.
- Adjust machine controls to alter position, alignment, speed, or pressure.
- Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
- Maintain production records, such as quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices, such as rulers, micrometers, or scales.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Active Listening2.9
- Critical Thinking2.9
- Speaking2.8
- Active Learning2.5
- Mathematics2.4
- Writing2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 2.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.9 |
| Speaking | 2.8 |
| Active Learning | 2.5 |
| Mathematics | 2.4 |
| Writing | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring4.0
- Operation and Control3.9
- Quality Control Analysis3.6
- Equipment Maintenance3.0
- Troubleshooting3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Repairing2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 4.0 |
| Operation and Control | 3.9 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.6 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.0 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
| Repairing | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.7
- Conventional4.5
- Investigative1.6
- Enterprising1.2
- Artistic1.0
- Social1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
O*NET related occupations
- Production
Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing
$43,380median a year
Most earn $32K to $57K
−2.5%High school - Production
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$46,550median a year
Most earn $36K to $63K
−10.8%High school - Production
Textile Cutting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$38,760median a year
Most earn $29K to $49K
−13.6%High school - Production
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$46,330median a year
Most earn $36K to $66K
−10.5%High school - Production
Sawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Wood
$42,770median a year
Most earn $31K to $58K
−1.0%High school - Production
Paper Goods Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$50,270median a year
Most earn $37K to $70K
−3.6%High school
More production careers
Median annual pay, with cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender$46,570
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender | $46,570 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender appears on
Questions
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender: frequently asked questions
How much do Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make?
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn a median of $46,570 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 9% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $22.39/hr. The middle half earn between $39,440 and $53,800. The top 10% earn $61,120 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training.
Is Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 0.9% over 2025–2035, a loss of 400 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 5,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender do?
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material. A core O*NET task: remove defective or substandard materials from machines, and readjust machine components so that products meet standards. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders the most?
The highest state medians for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders are Minnesota ($58,260), Vermont ($52,220), Colorado ($51,750) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender?
O*NET scores Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.