Jobs Similar to Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also called: Forging Machine Operators
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic and Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: $49,030 median pay · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
85% similar · $44,350 (−10%) · High school · Same group
- 2Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
84% similar · $47,180 (−4%) · High school · Same group
- 3Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
83% similar · $45,760 (−7%) · High school
- 4Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
83% similar · $46,330 (−6%) · High school · Same group
- 5Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
82% similar · $38,760 (−21%) · High school
- 6Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
82% similar · $38,180 (−22%) · High school
- 7Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
82% similar · $46,550 (−5%) · High school · Same group
- 8Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
82% similar · $52,800 (+8%) · High school · Same group
- 9Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
82% similar · $49,080 (0%) · High school · Same group
- 10Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
82% similar · $46,460 (−5%) · High school
- 11Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
81% similar · $50,690 (+3%) · High school
- 12Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
81% similar · $39,530 (−19%) · High school
- 13Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
81% similar · $50,140 (+2%) · High school · Same group
- 14Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
81% similar · $53,710 (+10%) · High school
- 15Machinists
81% similar · $58,750 (+20%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 16Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
81% similar · $50,270 (+3%) · High school
- 17Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
80% similar · $47,720 (−3%) · High school · Same group
- 18Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
80% similar · $46,350 (−5%) · High school
- 19Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
80% similar · $48,750 (−1%) · High school · Same group
- 20Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
80% similar · $48,990 (0%) · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers81% similar · $53,710 (+10%)
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82% similar · $52,800 (+8%)
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators81% similar · $50,690 (+3%)
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders81% similar · $50,270 (+3%)
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic81% similar · $50,140 (+2%)
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs for former forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic →
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (87)
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing (86)
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators (85)
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood (84)
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders (82)
- Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders (82)
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (82)
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers (81)
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand (81)
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (81)
Questions about jobs like forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
What jobs are most similar to forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (85% similar), Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (84% similar), Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (83% similar), Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (83% similar) and Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (82% similar).
Which jobs like forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Machinists ($58,750, +20%; usually training or an associate degree), Engine and Other Machine Assemblers ($53,710, +10%; usually a high school diploma) and Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic ($52,800, +8%; usually a high school diploma) have the highest BLS median pay compared with forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic ($49,030). Without more preparation than forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic usually need: Engine and Other Machine Assemblers, Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic and Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.