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Synthetic Fibers Manufacturing
DuPont, Toray, Teijin
Home / All Jobs / Trades / Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
These workers run machines that turn synthetic materials and glass fibers into a finished product, from loading raw material to checking gauges and stopping the line when something goes wrong. The job is distinct because it mixes constant machine watching with hands-on adjustments, and the big tradeoff is that you have to keep production moving without missing a defect that can waste material or damage the line.
Also known as Extrusion OperatorFiber Extrusion OperatorFiberglass Machine OperatorSynthetic Fiber OperatorMachine Setter and Tender
Median Salary
$44,980
Mean $47,420
U.S. Workforce
~15K
2K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-1.1%
15.2K to 15K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers 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 ~15K workers, with a median annual pay of $44,980 and roughly 2K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 15.2 K in 2024 to 15K 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 and can progress toward Production Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Operations Monitoring, Machine Operation & Control, and Process Monitoring, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Attention to Detail, and Coordination.
Core Responsibilities
- Load raw fiber material into the machine and set the feed rate so production starts correctly.
- Start, stop, and fine-tune the equipment from the control panel to keep the line running within spec.
- Watch gauges, screens, and the product coming off the machine for clogs, breaks, or other defects.
- Clean the machines and handle basic upkeep with hand tools between runs.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Load raw fiber material into the machine and set the feed rate so production starts correctly.
02 Start, stop, and fine-tune the equipment from the control panel to keep the line running within spec.
03 Watch gauges, screens, and the product coming off the machine for clogs, breaks, or other defects.
04 Clean the machines and handle basic upkeep with hand tools between runs.
05 Write down equipment problems and tell coworkers when a defect needs to be corrected.
06 Move supplies and finished material around the work area and help clear jams so production can continue.
Industries That Hire
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Glass Fiber & Composites
Owens Corning, Saint-Gobain, Johns Manville
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Building Insulation & Construction Materials
Knauf, Kingspan, CertainTeed
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Automotive Parts & Materials
Magna, Lear, Adient
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Aerospace & Advanced Composites
Hexcel, Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can get into the field with a high school diploma and no prior experience, and employers usually provide moderate-term training.
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The work is very hands-on, so you can see the direct result of your adjustments in the quality of the finished fiber.
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There are still about 2.0K annual openings, which can create opportunities even in a small occupation.
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Pay is steady for an entry-level manufacturing job, with mean annual pay at $47,420 and a median of $44,980.
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If you like troubleshooting, the job gives you frequent chances to catch machine problems before they turn into scrap or downtime.
Challenges
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Growth is weak: employment is projected to slip from 15.2K in 2024 to 15.0K by 2034, a decline of 1.1%.
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The work is repetitive and physical, with long stretches of standing, cleaning, lifting, and watching machinery.
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The pay ceiling is limited unless you move into lead, maintenance, or supervisory work, so advancement can be slow.
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This job is vulnerable to automation and production shifts, since plants can reduce headcount when lines become more automated or move elsewhere.
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A small mistake can waste material or force a shutdown, so the pressure to catch defects quickly is constant.
Career Progression
Production Helper
0-1 years
$31K-$36K
New workers usually focus on moving materials, keeping the area stocked, and learning how the line runs.
Machine Operator Trainee
1-3 years
$36K-$42K
At this stage, workers start making basic adjustments, spotting simple problems, and learning quality standards.
Extruding and Forming Machine Setter/Operator/Tender THIS ROLE
3-6 years
$43K-$50K
Workers in this role run the equipment, make small adjustments, and watch closely for defects or shutdowns.
Lead Operator
6-10 years
$50K-$59K
Lead operators help train others, troubleshoot harder machine problems, and keep production on schedule.
Production Supervisor
10+ years
$60K-$75K
Supervisors manage staffing, output, safety, and quality across one or more production lines.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The main entry path, held by 74.09% of workers in this role.
Less than a high school diploma
A smaller path used by 19.43% of workers, usually paired with strong employer training.
Post-secondary certificate in manufacturing or industrial maintenance
A shorter credential route used by 6.48% of workers, often helpful for getting onto a production floor faster.
Employer training / moderate-term on-the-job training
Many employers train new hires on the line, even when no previous work experience is required.
Key Skills
Technical
Operations Monitoring 75%
Machine Operation & Control 69%
Process Monitoring 63%
Control Boards, Gauges & PLC Panels 58%
Quality Control Analysis 50%
Hand Tools & Preventive Maintenance 45%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningAttention to DetailCoordinationJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingCommunication Job Outlook and Trends
+-1.1%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
2K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 15.2K to 15 K over the next decade, representing -1.1% growth. Around 2 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.