The median pay for Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is $52,800 a year ($25.39/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 13.2% through 2035, with about 1,000 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-4035
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic in four numbers
- Median pay
- $52,800a year, or $25.39/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $38KTop 10% $81K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -13.2%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−13.2%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −13.2% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,00012,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202512.4K
- Projected 203510.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 12.4K Projected 2035 10.8K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school9.7%
- High school47.3%
- Certificate15%
- Some college9.1%
- Bachelor's18.8%
Highest education held by milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic Segment Value Less than high school 9.7% High school 47.3% Certificate 15% Some college 9.1% Bachelor's 18.8%
Also advertised as: CNC Licensed Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Licensed Mill Operator), CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator), CNC Mill Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Operator), CNC Mill Set Up Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Set Up Operator), Machine Operator, Machine Set Up Operator.
Pay
How much do Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?
Every milling and planing machine setter, operator, and tender, metal and plastic in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$52,800
Middle half earn $45,210 to $64,900
- 10th
- $37,840
- 25th
- $45,210
- 75th
- $64,900
- 90th
- $81,030
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $37,840 |
| 25th | $45,210 |
| Median | $52,800 |
| 75th | $64,900 |
| 90th | $81,030 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $52,800
- Median hourly wage
- $25.39/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $56,740
- People employed
- 12,460
Versus all US occupations
At $52,800, Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn 4% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $1,820 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 10% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $81,030 or more while the bottom 10% earn $37,840, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 26% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Washington pays the most at $86,460, and still leads at $80,794 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Milling and Planing 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $86,460 | $80,794 | 240 |
| 2Connecticut | $79,300 | $76,537 | 150 |
| 3Kentucky | $66,440 | $73,692 | 540 |
| 4Illinois | $63,360 | $63,387 | 570 |
| 5Massachusetts | $62,380 | $58,984 | N/A |
| 6Nebraska | $59,630 | $66,180 | 70 |
| 7California | $59,050 | $53,333 | 1,960 |
| 8Wisconsin | $58,770 | $62,458 | 280 |
| 9Indiana | $57,720 | $61,846 | 590 |
| 10New York | $56,560 | $52,409 | 550 |
Job outlook
Is Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -13.2% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | −13.2% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic to change -13.2% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 1,600 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,000 openings are projected each year, 8.1% of the 12,400 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 Milling and Planing 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.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)47.3%
- Bachelor's Degree18.8%
- Post-Secondary Certificate15%
- Less than a High School Diploma9.7%
- Some College Courses9.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 47.3% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 18.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 15% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 9.7% |
| Some College Courses | 9.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic do?
Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile 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
- Record production output.
- 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.
- Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
- Study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations.
- Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders.
- 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.
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 dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors 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 importantLittle or no dealing with customers or the public.
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 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
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Active Listening3.0
- Reading Comprehension2.9
- Speaking2.9
- Writing2.6
- Mathematics2.6
- Active Learning2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.9 |
| Speaking | 2.9 |
| Writing | 2.6 |
| Mathematics | 2.6 |
| Active Learning | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.9
- Operation and Control3.4
- Quality Control Analysis2.9
- Coordination2.8
- Complex Problem Solving2.8
- Troubleshooting2.8
- Social Perceptiveness2.6
- Judgment and Decision Making2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.9 |
| Operation and Control | 3.4 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.8 |
| Troubleshooting | 2.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Enterprise application integration software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Computer aided design CAD and computer aided manufacturing CAM system
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Industrial control software
- Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
- Object or component oriented development 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 Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Milling and Planing 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.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional4.4
- Investigative2.4
- Artistic1.2
- 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 Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic
O*NET related occupations
- 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
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
Woodworking Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Except Sawing
$43,380median a year
Most earn $32K to $57K
−2.5%High school - Production
- 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
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator
$50,690median a year
Most earn $38K to $74K
−9.4%High school
More production careers
Median annual pay, with milling and planing 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
- Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic$52,800
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- 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 |
| Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic | $52,800 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic appears on
Questions
Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic: frequently asked questions
How much do Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median of $52,800 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 4% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $25.39/hr. The middle half earn between $45,210 and $64,900. The top 10% earn $81,030 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Milling and Planing 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 Milling and Planing Machine 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, 47.3% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 13.2% over 2025–2035, a loss of 1,600 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,000 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Milling and Planing 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: record production output. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Enterprise application integration software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic the most?
The highest state medians for Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are Washington ($86,460), Connecticut ($79,300), Kentucky ($66,440) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Milling and Planing Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic?
O*NET scores Milling and Planing 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.