Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also called: Extruding and Drawing Machine Operators
Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.
Also called: Draw Machine Operator, Drawbench Operator, Equipment Technician (Equipment Tech), Extruder Operator, Extruding Press Operator, Extrusion Line Operator
Median pay
$47,720
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$36,700 – $63,710
People employed
60,840
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.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 2.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 3.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 4.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 5.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 6.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 7.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (46 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do
- 01Reel extruded products into rolls of specified lengths and weights.
- 02Measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products.
- 03Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion.
- 04Weigh and mix pelletized, granular, or powdered thermoplastic materials and coloring pigments.
- 05Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications.
- 06Troubleshoot, maintain, and make minor repairs to equipment.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Public Safety and Security
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
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 extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders91% · −4%
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers90% · −3%
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders88% · −2%
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders86% · −3%
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders85% · +5%
Change into extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers90% · $46,350
- Semiconductor Processing Technicians87% · $51,430
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders86% · $46,460
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders85% · $45,760
- Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders85% · $39,530
Majors that lead here
- Machine Tool Technology/Machinist
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.