Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also called: Rolling Machine Operators
Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.
Also called: Bar Finish Operator, Bar Roller, Barrel Roller, Barrel Roller Operator, Bed Operator, Brass Roller
Median pay
$50,140
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$37,690 – $70,310
People employed
25,250
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 OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 2.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 3.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 4.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 5.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay by state
Annual median pay by state (39 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary in every state →
What rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do
- 01Monitor machine cycles and mill operation to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications.
- 02Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects.
- 03Start operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips.
- 04Examine, inspect, and measure raw materials and finished products to verify conformance to specifications.
- 05Read rolling orders, blueprints, and mill schedules to determine setup specifications, work sequences, product dimensions, and installation procedures.
- 06Thread or feed sheets or rods through rolling mechanisms, or start and control mechanisms that automatically feed steel into rollers.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
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: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
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 rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders90% · −7%
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing87% · −13%
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders87% · −9%
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders86% · −7%
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers85% · −8%
Change into rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders92% · $46,460
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders90% · $45,760
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers88% · $46,350
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders87% · $46,570
- Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders87% · $39,530
Majors that lead here
- Machine Tool Technology/Machinist
- Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.