Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also called: Forging Machine Operators
Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.
Also called: Automatic Forging Machine Operator, Blacksmith, Board Hammer Operator, Bolt Machine Operator, Drop Forge Operator, Drop Forger
Median pay
$49,030
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$36,800 – $68,720
People employed
8,930
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.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 2.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 3.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 6.Do you prefer working indoors?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay by state
Annual median pay by state (32 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in every state →
What forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do
- 01Install, adjust, and remove dies, synchronizing cams, forging hammers, and stop guides, using overhead cranes or other hoisting devices, and hand tools.
- 02Start machines to produce sample workpieces, and observe operations to detect machine malfunctions and to verify that machine setups conform to specifications.
- 03Remove dies from machines when production runs are finished.
- 04Select, align, and bolt positioning fixtures, stops, and specified dies to rams and anvils, forging rolls, or presses and hammers.
- 05Read work orders or blueprints to determine specified tolerances and sequences of operations for machine setup.
- 06Repair, maintain, and replace parts on dies.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
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 forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing88% · −12%
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders87% · −7%
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders85% · +3%
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers84% · −5%
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders83% · −5%
Change into forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders87% · $45,760
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing86% · $43,380
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators85% · $50,690
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood84% · $42,770
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders82% · $46,460
Majors that lead here
- Machine Tool Technology/Machinist
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.