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Home / All Jobs / Trades / Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
These workers set up and run lathe and turning machines that shape metal or plastic parts to very exact sizes. The job is defined by a constant tradeoff: you have to keep parts inside tight tolerances while also keeping production moving, which means watching the machine closely and making quick adjustments when measurements drift.
Also known as Lathe OperatorTurning Machine OperatorCNC Lathe OperatorLathe Setup OperatorTurret Lathe Operator
Median Salary
$48,620
Mean $50,190
U.S. Workforce
~19K
1.5K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-13.6%
18.9K to 16.4K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool 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 ~19K workers, with a median annual pay of $48,620 and roughly 1.5K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 18.9 K in 2024 to 16.4K 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 Shop Helper and can progress toward Manufacturing Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, and CNC Lathe Setup, G-Code & Machine Controls, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Attention to Detail, and Problem Solving.
Core Responsibilities
- Set up lathes with the right fixtures, stops, gears, and attachments so the machine cuts the part correctly.
- Load metal or plastic stock into the machine, secure it in place, and use hoists or hand tools when the material is too heavy to handle safely.
- Read drawings, measurements, and shop notes to figure out the right cutting dimensions, speeds, clearances, and other machine settings.
- Run the machine through its cycles and stop to fine-tune tool positions and controls when the part starts to drift out of spec.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Set up lathes with the right fixtures, stops, gears, and attachments so the machine cuts the part correctly.
02 Load metal or plastic stock into the machine, secure it in place, and use hoists or hand tools when the material is too heavy to handle safely.
03 Read drawings, measurements, and shop notes to figure out the right cutting dimensions, speeds, clearances, and other machine settings.
04 Run the machine through its cycles and stop to fine-tune tool positions and controls when the part starts to drift out of spec.
05 Check sample parts with gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators to make sure they match the required size and shape.
06 Keep the machine and work area clean, and do basic maintenance so equipment stays safe and production does not slow down.
Industries That Hire
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Automotive and Parts Manufacturing
Ford, General Motors, Toyota
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Industrial Machinery and Equipment
Caterpillar, John Deere, Haas Automation
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Medical Devices
Medtronic, Stryker, Boston Scientific
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Plastics and Packaging
Berry Global, Sealed Air, AptarGroup
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Contract Manufacturing and Job Shops
Jabil, Flex, Proto Labs
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The barrier to entry is relatively low: the typical starting point is a high school diploma or equivalent, no prior experience, and moderate on-the-job training.
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Pay is solid for a trade role, with a median annual wage of $48,620 and a mean of $50,190.
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The work is hands-on and concrete, so you can see the part change shape and know immediately whether your setup worked.
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You build practical skills that transfer to broader machining work, including measurement, setup, maintenance, and quality checking.
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Even with a declining outlook, there are still about 1.5 thousand annual openings, so replacement hiring continues.
Challenges
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The occupation is shrinking, with employment projected to fall 13.6% from 18.9 thousand jobs to 16.4 thousand by 2034.
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Annual openings are only about 1.5 thousand, so many jobs will come from replacements rather than new growth.
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Automation and CNC consolidation can reduce the need for dedicated lathe-specific workers, especially in shops that want one person to cover multiple machines.
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The work can be physically tiring because you spend time standing, lifting stock, loading parts, and cleaning the machine area.
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There is a real career ceiling if you stay only with basic setup and operation; moving ahead usually means learning broader CNC, programming, or supervision skills.
Career Progression
Shop Helper
0-1 years
$31K-$39K
Learns shop routines, moves materials, and supports machinists before taking on machine work alone.
Machine Operator Trainee
1-3 years
$40K-$46K
Runs simpler jobs under supervision and builds skill with measuring tools, stock handling, and machine controls.
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender THIS ROLE
3-6 years
$47K-$55K
Sets up and runs turning machines, makes adjustments during production, and keeps parts within tight tolerances.
Senior Setup Technician
6-10 years
$56K-$68K
Handles more complex setups, troubleshoots quality issues, and may train newer operators on the floor.
Manufacturing Supervisor
10+ years
$69K-$84K
Oversees production flow, staffing, quality, and machine uptime across a group of operators or a shop area.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The main entry path, held by 31.64% of workers in this role, and usually paired with moderate on-the-job training rather than a degree.
Some college courses
A sizable share of workers, 28.86%, report some college coursework, which can help with measurements, math, and blueprint reading.
Post-secondary certificate
A machining or CNC certificate is a practical alternative; 11.58% of workers report this level, and it can help you move into the shop faster.
Less than high school diploma
Some workers, 18.19%, entered with less than a high school diploma, but this path usually depends more on hands-on learning and can limit mobility.
Key Skills
Technical
Operations Monitoring 63%
Operation and Control 60%
CNC Lathe Setup, G-Code & Machine Controls 58%
Precision Measuring Tools (Micrometers, Dial Indicators & Gauges) 55%
Blueprint Reading & Shop Math 52%
Quality Control Analysis 50%
Equipment Maintenance 50%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningAttention to DetailProblem SolvingReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingTeamwork Job Outlook and Trends
+-13.6%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
1.5K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 18.9K to 16.4 K over the next decade, representing -13.6% growth. Around 1.5 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.