Also called: Lathe and Turning Machine Operators
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic build operations monitoring, operation and control and quality control analysis skills that carry over to other work. Below are 25 careers ranked by how closely their skills match, with pay from BLS May 2025. The closest match is Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (89%).
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Sorted by skill match.
| # | Career | Skill match | Median pay | Pay change | Extra education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 89% | $46,570 | −8% | None |
| 2 | Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | 85% | $43,380 | −14% | None |
| 3 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators | 84% | $50,690 | 0% | None |
| 4 | Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | 83% | $46,350 | −8% | None |
| 5 | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | 79% | $53,710 | +6% | None |
| 6 | Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | 77% | $77,320 | +53% | None |
| 7 | Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 77% | $45,760 | −10% | None |
| 8 | Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | 77% | $61,770 | +22% | None |
| 9 | Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders | 77% | $46,460 | −8% | None |
| 10 | Tire Builders | 77% | $57,390 | +13% | None |
Compared with Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, median $50,620. Skill match is our estimate (0–99) from O*NET 31.0 skills, knowledge, work activities and interests, adjusted for preparation and big pay drops. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, national median.
How important each skill is in work as lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (O*NET importance, scale 1–5).
The gaps that show up most often across your top 10 matches.
Free and low-cost training: use the CareerOneStop training finder below.
A concrete first step, the skills to add, and the hard parts of each job, from O*NET 31.0 education, training and work context data.
89% skill match · $46,570 · −8% pay
Repairing · Quality Control Analysis · Operations Monitoring
85% skill match · $43,380 · −14% pay
Repairing · Troubleshooting · Equipment Selection
84% skill match · $50,690 · 0% pay
Systems Evaluation · Systems Analysis · Operations Analysis
If you want to stay close to what you do now, these roles are the nearest.
The closest matches are Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (89% skill match, median $46,570), Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing (85% skill match, median $43,380) and Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (84% skill match, median $50,690), based on O*NET 31.0 data and BLS May 2025 pay.
Among the 25 matches, 13 pay more than lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic at the median. The biggest increases: Power Plant Operators (+102%, $102,040), Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers (+91%, $96,710) and Roof Bolters, Mining (+55%, $78,540).
24 of the 25 matches usually need no more education than you have now, based on O*NET Job Zones.
We compare the importance of skills, knowledge, work activities and interests in O*NET 31.0 for your job and every other career, then adjust for extra preparation and big pay drops. The full method is on our Methodology page.