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.
Multiple Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median of $47,180 per year ($22.68/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 0.5% through 2034, with about 12,800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
SOC 51-4081ProductionLast updated August 15, 2026
- Median pay
- $47,180
- Projected growth
- -0.5%
- Openings a year
- 12,800
- Typical education
- High school
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Cell Technician, CNC Machine Setter (Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Setter), Fabrication Set-Up Person, Injection Molding Technician, Machine Operator, Machine Technician.
How much do Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?
10th percentile$35,780
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$39,420
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$47,180
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$57,800
Upper quartile
90th percentile$74,450
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $47,180 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $22.68/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $50,030 |
| People employed | 124,590 |
Versus all US occupations
At $47,180, Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn 7% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $3,800 a year.
Versus production occupations
The median is typical for the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $47,920.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $74,450 or more while the bottom 10% earn $35,780, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 22% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
West Virginia pays the most at $76,080, and still leads at $85,008 once local prices are taken into account.
Which states pay Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $76,080 | $85,008 | 1,920 |
| Kentucky | $54,960 | $60,959 | 5,510 |
| Missouri | $53,160 | $58,535 | 7,220 |
| Maryland | $51,780 | $49,334 | 400 |
| Nebraska | $50,960 | $56,557 | 1,250 |
| Virginia | $50,600 | $50,047 | 1,030 |
| Washington | $50,540 | $47,228 | 830 |
| Vermont | $50,450 | $51,502 | 110 |
| Idaho | $50,410 | $52,789 | 480 |
| New York | $49,890 | $46,228 | 3,660 |
Is Multiple Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic a growing career?
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic-0.5%
All US occupations3.1%
-0.5% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Declining
BLS projects employment of Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic to change -0.5% over 2024–2034, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.1%. That is 700 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 12,800 openings are projected each year, 9.8% of the 131,000 jobs that existed in 2024. 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 2024 to 2034, 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.
How to become a Multiple 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.
| Typical entry-level education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Little or no preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.
- High School Diploma81.7%
- Post-Secondary Certificate7.6%
- Some College Courses5.6%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)3.9%
- Less than a High School Diploma1.1%
What does a Multiple Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic do?
Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.
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
- Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments.
- Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.
- Instruct other workers in machine set-up and operation.
- Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary.
- Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists.
- Perform minor machine maintenance, such as oiling or cleaning machines, dies, or workpieces, or adding coolant to machine reservoirs.
- Change worn machine accessories, such as cutting tools or brushes, using hand tools.
- Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Core skills
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Active Learning2.9/5
- Writing2.8/5
- Learning Strategies2.4/5
Transferable skills
- Operations Monitoring4.0/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.4/5
- Operation and Control3.1/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Troubleshooting3.0/5
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system 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.
What personality type suits a Multiple Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary7.0
Investigative2.3
Artistic1.0
Social1.1
Enterprising1.0
Conventionalprimary4.6
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.
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.
Multiple Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic: frequently asked questions
How much do Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic make?
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median of $47,180 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 7% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $22.68/hr. The middle half earn between $39,420 and $57,800. The top 10% earn $74,450 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Multiple 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 Multiple 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, 81.7% hold high school diploma.
Is Multiple Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 0.5% over 2024–2034, a loss of 700 jobs (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 12,800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Multiple 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: inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Electronic mail software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software.
Which states pay Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic the most?
The highest state medians for Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic are West Virginia ($76,080), Kentucky ($54,960), Missouri ($53,160) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Multiple Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic?
O*NET scores Multiple 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 923 occupations in the bank.