🏭
Automotive Parts
Ford, Magna International, Lear Corporation
Home / All Jobs / Trades / Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
These workers set up and run machines that cut, punch, slit, bend, or straighten metal and plastic parts. The job is all about catching small problems early: one wrong setting can throw off an entire batch, so measuring, watching, and adjusting are part of the routine. The tradeoff is simple: the work is accessible without a degree, but it is repetitive, physical, and tied to a manufacturing sector that is slowly shrinking.
Also known as Press OperatorPunch Press OperatorMachine OperatorProduction Machine OperatorMetal Stamping Operator
Median Salary
$45,590
Mean $47,060
U.S. Workforce
~174K
14.4K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-12.1%
174.7K to 153.6K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~174K workers, with a median annual pay of $45,590 and roughly 14.4K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 174.7 K in 2024 to 153.6K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Production Helper / Material Handler and can progress toward Production Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, and Press, Punch & Shear Machine Setup, paired with soft skills such as Attention to detail, Active listening, and Critical thinking.
Core Responsibilities
- Read the production order to figure out the right material, size, and machine settings for the run.
- Load metal or plastic pieces into the machine and position them so they can be cut or punched correctly.
- Set the controls for speed, pressure, and movement before starting production.
- Watch the machine while it runs and note any problems, odd sounds, or bad readings.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Read the production order to figure out the right material, size, and machine settings for the run.
02 Load metal or plastic pieces into the machine and position them so they can be cut or punched correctly.
03 Set the controls for speed, pressure, and movement before starting production.
04 Watch the machine while it runs and note any problems, odd sounds, or bad readings.
05 Measure finished parts with gauges, calipers, micrometers, or rulers to make sure they match the specs.
06 Inspect finished pieces for dents, chips, or other defects, sort out the rejects, and keep the work area clean and organized.
Industries That Hire
🧺
Appliances & Consumer Products
Whirlpool, GE Appliances, Samsung Electronics
✈️
Aerospace & Defense
Boeing, Lockheed Martin, RTX
🧴
Plastics & Packaging
Berry Global, Amcor, Sealed Air
⚙️
Metal Fabrication & Machinery
Caterpillar, Lincoln Electric, Parker Hannifin
Pros and Cons
Advantages
+
You can enter the field with a high school diploma, and 63.43% of workers do exactly that.
+
The job usually needs moderate-term on-the-job training, so you can learn the core skills without years of school.
+
Pay is respectable for a hands-on role, with a median annual wage of $45,590 and a mean of $47,060.
+
There are still about 14.4K annual openings, so employers continue to hire even as the overall workforce shrinks.
+
The skills are practical and transferable to other manufacturing jobs, especially setup, inspection, and troubleshooting.
Challenges
-
Employment is projected to drop 12.1% from 174.7K to 153.6K by 2034, so there will be fewer jobs over time.
-
A lot of the work is repetitive and physical: loading parts, standing for long stretches, and handling metal or plastic all day can wear you down.
-
Automation and more advanced production equipment are a structural threat, because companies can replace some of this work with faster, more flexible machines.
-
The pay is only moderate for the strain and responsibility, and $45,590 a year may feel tight in high-cost areas or on lower-shift schedules.
-
Career growth can hit a ceiling unless you move into maintenance, quality, or supervision, because the core job is narrowly focused on machine operation.
Career Progression
Production Helper / Material Handler
0-1 years
$32K-$37K
Supports the line by moving parts, staging materials, and learning safety and quality checks.
Machine Operator Apprentice
1-3 years
$38K-$44K
Runs simpler equipment, follows work orders, and learns basic setup and inspection routines.
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setter, Operator, and Tender THIS ROLE
2-5 years
$45K-$52K
Sets up and runs the machines, checks dimensions, and makes small adjustments to keep parts within spec.
Lead Machine Operator
5-8 years
$53K-$63K
Handles changeovers, helps train newer workers, and troubleshoots recurring production issues.
Production Supervisor
8+ years
$64K-$78K
Oversees staffing, output, and quality across a line or shift, with less direct machine work.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The most common entry point, held by 63.43% of workers in this role.
Postsecondary certificate in machining or manufacturing technology
A strong alternative path, held by 34.85% of workers, and often paired with hands-on shop practice.
Employer training or apprenticeship
A practical way into the job for people hired directly by manufacturers; the occupation typically uses moderate-term on-the-job training.
Key Skills
Technical
Operations Monitoring 63%
Operation and Control 60%
Press, Punch & Shear Machine Setup 58%
Quality Control Analysis 50%
Troubleshooting 50%
Micrometers, Calipers & Gauges 48%
Soft Skills
Attention to detailActive listeningCritical thinkingSpeaking clearlyTeamworkTime management Job Outlook and Trends
+-12.1%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
14.4K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 174.7K to 153.6 K over the next decade, representing -12.1% growth. Around 14.4 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.