The median pay for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is $49,080 a year ($23.60/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 9.5% through 2035, with about 400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-4032
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic in four numbers
- Median pay
- $49,080a year, or $23.60/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $36KTop 10% $68K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -9.5%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−9.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −9.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4004,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20254.7K
- Projected 20354.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 4.7K Projected 2035 4.2K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school9.8%
- High school56.9%
- Certificate1.9%
- Some college12.2%
- Associate's12.1%
- Bachelor's7.1%
Highest education held by drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic Segment Value Less than high school 9.8% High school 56.9% Certificate 1.9% Some college 12.2% Associate's 12.1% Bachelor's 7.1%
Also advertised as: Bore Mill Operator, CNC Drilling Operator (Computer Numerical Control Drilling Operator), CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), Drill Operator, Drill Press Operator, Drill Setup Operator.
Pay
How much do Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?
Every drilling and boring machine tool setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$49,080
Middle half earn $41,710 to $57,940
- 10th
- $36,300
- 25th
- $41,710
- 75th
- $57,940
- 90th
- $68,410
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $36,300 |
| 25th | $41,710 |
| Median | $49,080 |
| 75th | $57,940 |
| 90th | $68,410 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $49,080
- Median hourly wage
- $23.60/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $51,810
- People employed
- 4,680
Versus all US occupations
At $49,080, Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn 4% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $1,900 a year.
Versus production occupations
The median is typical for the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $68,410 or more while the bottom 10% earn $36,300, a gap of 1.9×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 20% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Virginia pays the most at $90,390, and still leads at $89,403 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Virginia | $90,390 | $89,403 | 100 |
| 2Massachusetts | $77,780 | $73,546 | 60 |
| 3Idaho | $69,590 | $72,874 | 70 |
| 4Florida | $66,340 | $64,150 | 80 |
| 5Michigan | $60,410 | $62,785 | 190 |
| 6New Hampshire | $59,800 | $57,409 | 40 |
| 7Illinois | $56,720 | $56,744 | 390 |
| 8New York | $55,310 | $51,250 | 70 |
| 9Oklahoma | $55,230 | $62,874 | 250 |
| 10Alabama | $53,110 | $59,793 | 140 |
Job outlook
Is Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -9.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | −9.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic to change -9.5% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 400 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 400 openings are projected each year, 8.5% of the 4,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of metal and plastic machine workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of metal and plastic machine workers varies by occupation (see table).
One of the most important factors influencing employment of these workers is the use of laborsaving machinery. Many firms are continuing to expand the use of technologies, such as computer numerically controlled (CNC) tools and robots, to improve quality and lower production costs. The use of CNC equipment requires CNC tool programmers instead of machine setters, operators, and tenders. Therefore, demand for most manual tool operators and tenders is likely to be reduced, while demand for CNC tool programmers is expected to be strong.
Getting in
How to become a Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
Metal and plastic workers typically need a high school diploma to enter the occupation and receive 1 year of on-the-job training. Computer numerically controlled (CNC) tool programmers typically need postsecondary education.
- 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.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)56.9%
- Some College Courses12.2%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree12.1%
- Less than a High School Diploma9.8%
- Bachelor's Degree7.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 56.9% |
| Some College Courses | 12.2% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 12.1% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 9.8% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 7.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic do?
Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces.
Day-to-day tasks
- Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.
- Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
- Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.
- Turn valves and direct flow of coolants or cutting oil over cutting areas.
- Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.
- Install tools in spindles.
- Perform minor assembly, such as fastening parts with nuts, bolts, or screws, using power tools or hand tools.
- Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most metal and plastic machine workers are employed full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Because many manufacturers run their machinery for extended periods, evening and weekend work is also common.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. 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 Listening3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Active Learning2.8
- Mathematics2.5
- Writing2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 2.8 |
| Mathematics | 2.5 |
| Writing | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.6
- Operation and Control3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Quality Control Analysis2.9
- Social Perceptiveness2.8
- Equipment Maintenance2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.8 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Industrial control software
- Inventory management software
“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 Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| 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.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.3
- Investigative2.8
- Artistic1.0
- Social1.0
- Enterprising1.0
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 Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
O*NET related occupations
- Production
Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$52,800median a year
Most earn $38K to $81K
−13.2%High school - Production
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$50,620median a year
Most earn $37K to $70K
−11.3%High school - 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
- 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
More production careers
Median annual pay, with drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic 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
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic$49,080
- 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 |
| Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic | $49,080 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic appears on
Questions
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic: frequently asked questions
How much do Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median of $49,080 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 4% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $23.60/hr. The middle half earn between $41,710 and $57,940. The top 10% earn $68,410 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 56.9% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 9.5% over 2025–2035, a loss of 400 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic do?
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate equipment that cuts, shapes, and forms metal and plastic materials or pieces. A core O*NET task: verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges. Employers most often ask for Enterprise resource planning ERP software, Office suite software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic the most?
The highest state medians for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are Virginia ($90,390), Massachusetts ($77,780), Idaho ($69,590) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic?
O*NET scores Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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.