Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median of $47,720 per year ($22.94/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 0.7% through 2035, with about 5,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-4021
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic in four numbers
- Median pay
- $47,720a year, or $22.94/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $37KTop 10% $64K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +0.7%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+0.7%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +0.7% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5,40060,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202560.9K
- Projected 203561.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 60.9K Projected 2035 61.4K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Equipment Technician (Equipment Tech), Extruder Operator, Extrusion Line Operator, Extrusion Operator, Extrusion Press Operator, Machine Operator.
Pay
How much do Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?
Every extruding and drawing machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$47,720
Middle half earn $40,450 to $56,840
- 10th
- $36,700
- 25th
- $40,450
- 75th
- $56,840
- 90th
- $63,710
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $36,700 |
| 25th | $40,450 |
| Median | $47,720 |
| 75th | $56,840 |
| 90th | $63,710 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $47,720
- Median hourly wage
- $22.94/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $49,480
- People employed
- 60,840
Versus all US occupations
At $47,720, Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn 6% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $3,260 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 $63,710 or more while the bottom 10% earn $36,700, 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 17% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Rhode Island posts the highest raw median ($61,350), but once local prices are taken into account Vermont leads at $60,454 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Extruding and Drawing Machine 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Rhode Island | $61,350 | $59,982 | 430 |
| 2Vermont | $59,220 | $60,454 | 60 |
| 3North Carolina | $53,330 | $56,538 | 2,950 |
| 4Nebraska | $52,360 | $58,111 | 510 |
| 5Minnesota | $51,830 | $52,555 | 900 |
| 6New Jersey | $51,180 | $47,038 | 750 |
| 7Pennsylvania | $51,150 | $52,423 | 2,960 |
| 8Colorado | $51,110 | $49,596 | 240 |
| 9Massachusetts | $50,370 | $47,628 | 1,490 |
| 10Connecticut | $50,230 | $48,480 | 1,000 |
Job outlook
Is Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +0.7% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | +0.7% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic to change 0.7% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 5,400 openings are projected each year, 8.9% of the 60,900 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 an Extruding and Drawing Machine 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.
Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entryThe work
What does an Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic do?
Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.
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
- Clean work areas.
- Measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products.
- Install dies, machine screws, and sizing rings on machines that extrude thermoplastic or metal materials.
- Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion.
- Change dies on extruding machines, according to production line changes.
- Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications.
- Replace worn dies when products vary from specifications.
- Maintain an inventory of materials.
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 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 time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantLittle or no dealing with customers or the public.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
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
- Monitoring3.3
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Active Listening2.9
- Reading Comprehension2.8
- Active Learning2.6
- Writing2.3
- Mathematics2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 2.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.8 |
| Active Learning | 2.6 |
| Writing | 2.3 |
| Mathematics | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.9
- Operation and Control3.8
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Equipment Maintenance3.0
- Troubleshooting3.0
- Repairing3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.9 |
| Operation and Control | 3.8 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.0 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 |
| Repairing | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software
- Enterprise application integration 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 an Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic |
|---|---|
| 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
- Conventional4.3
- Investigative2.2
- Artistic1.4
- Social1.1
- 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 Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
O*NET related occupations
- Production
Extruding and Forming Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Synthetic and Glass Fiber
$46,350median a year
Most earn $36K to $64K
−3.3%High school - Production
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$44,350median a year
Most earn $34K to $62K
−3.4%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
Multiple Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
$47,180median a year
Most earn $36K to $74K
+0.6%High school - Production
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$45,760median a year
Most earn $35K to $63K
+1.5%High school - Production
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
$46,570median a year
Most earn $36K to $61K
−0.9%High school
More production careers
Median annual pay, with extruding and drawing machine 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
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic$47,720
- 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 |
| Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic | $47,720 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic appears on
Questions
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic: frequently asked questions
How much do Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median of $47,720 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 6% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $22.94/hr. The middle half earn between $40,450 and $56,840. The top 10% earn $63,710 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Extruding and Drawing Machine 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 Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training.
Is Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 0.7% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 5,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Extruding and Drawing Machine 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: clean work areas. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic the most?
The highest state medians for Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are Rhode Island ($61,350), Vermont ($59,220), North Carolina ($53,330) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Vermont moves to the top at $60,454.
What personality type suits an Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic?
O*NET scores Extruding and Drawing Machine 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.