Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also called: Cutting and Press Machine Operators
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Also called: Adjuster, Angle Shear Operator, Angle Shear Setup Operator, Arbor Press Operator, Automatic Punch Press Operator, Automatic Screwmaker
Median pay
$46,330
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$35,760 – $65,510
People employed
171,200
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 2.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 3.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 4.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 5.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 6.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay by state
Annual median pay by state (49 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do
- 01Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
- 02Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
- 03Lubricate workpieces with oil.
- 04Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
- 05Install, align, and lock specified punches, dies, cutting blades, or other fixtures in rams or beds of machines, using gauges, templates, feelers, shims, and hand tools.
- 06Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing91% · −6%
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders91% · +1%
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand88% · −8%
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders88% · −1%
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders86% · +9%
Change into cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders93% · $38,760
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders91% · $46,570
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders89% · $50,270
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood89% · $42,770
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders88% · $45,760
Majors that lead here
- Machine Tool Technology/Machinist
- Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.