The median pay for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is $45,760 a year ($22.00/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 1.5% through 2035, with about 5,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-9041
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender in four numbers
- Median pay
- $45,760a year, or $22.00/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $35KTop 10% $63K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +1.5%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+1.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +1.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5,20058,300 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202558.3K
- Projected 203559.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 58.3K Projected 2035 59.2K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school0.7%
- High school78.2%
- Certificate9.1%
- Some college7.8%
- Associate's0.3%
- Professional degree3.9%
Highest education held by extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders Segment Value Less than high school 0.7% High school 78.2% Certificate 9.1% Some college 7.8% Associate's 0.3% Professional degree 3.9%
Also advertised as: Extruder Operator, Extrusion Operator, Glass Forming Crew Member, Machine Operator, Press Operator, Tuber Operator.
Pay
How much do Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make?
Every extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setter, operator, and tender in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$45,760
Middle half earn $38,360 to $52,580
- 10th
- $34,630
- 25th
- $38,360
- 75th
- $52,580
- 90th
- $63,450
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $34,630 |
| 25th | $38,360 |
| Median | $45,760 |
| 75th | $52,580 |
| 90th | $63,450 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $45,760
- Median hourly wage
- $22.00/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $47,260
- People employed
- 58,770
Versus all US occupations
At $45,760, Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn 10% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $5,220 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 5% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $63,450 or more while the bottom 10% earn $34,630, a gap of 1.8×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 12% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Maine pays the most at $57,990, and still leads at $59,753 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Maine | $57,990 | $59,753 | 140 |
| 2Pennsylvania | $53,580 | $54,913 | 2,450 |
| 3Vermont | $52,340 | $53,431 | 160 |
| 4Minnesota | $52,070 | $52,798 | 560 |
| 5South Carolina | $51,620 | $55,062 | 2,460 |
| 6West Virginia | $50,690 | $56,639 | 180 |
| 7Nevada | $50,050 | $50,061 | N/A |
| 8Virginia | $49,390 | $48,851 | 1,810 |
| 9Iowa | $49,340 | $56,220 | 500 |
| 10Colorado | $49,100 | $47,646 | 280 |
Job outlook
Is Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +1.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | +1.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders to change 1.5% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 900 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 5,200 openings are projected each year, 8.9% of the 58,300 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become an Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting 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.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)78.2%
- Post-Secondary Certificate9.1%
- Some College Courses7.8%
- First Professional Degree3.9%
- Less than a High School Diploma0.7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 78.2% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 9.1% |
| Some College Courses | 7.8% |
| First Professional Degree | 3.9% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 0.7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender do?
Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.
Day-to-day tasks
- Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
- Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions.
- Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
- Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
- Turn controls to adjust machine functions, such as regulating air pressure, creating vacuums, and adjusting coolant flow.
- Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products.
- Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.
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 dayAlmost never works outdoors.
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 dayDealing 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
- Monitoring3.4
- Speaking3.1
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Active Listening3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Writing2.8
- Active Learning2.6
- Mathematics2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.4 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.8 |
| Active Learning | 2.6 |
| Mathematics | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.8
- Operation and Control3.8
- Troubleshooting3.0
- Quality Control Analysis3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Coordination2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Operation and Control | 3.8 |
| Troubleshooting | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.8 |
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
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software
- Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain 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, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting 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.
- Realistic6.5
- Conventional4.3
- Investigative2.2
- Artistic1.3
- Enterprising1.3
- 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 Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender
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More production careers
Median annual pay, with extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting 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
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender$45,760
- 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, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender | $45,760 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender appears on
Questions
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender: frequently asked questions
How much do Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make?
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn a median of $45,760 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 10% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $22.00/hr. The middle half earn between $38,360 and $52,580. The top 10% earn $63,450 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting 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 Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders. 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, 78.2% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 1.5% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 5,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender do?
Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics. A core O*NET task: press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders the most?
The highest state medians for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders are Maine ($57,990), Pennsylvania ($53,580), Vermont ($52,340) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender?
O*NET scores Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting 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.