Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic to decrease by -10.5% between 2024 and 2034, from 171,000 to 153,100 jobs. Its estimate of 13,200 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($46,330), education (High school diploma or equivalent), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
171,000
Projected employment (2034)
153,100
Projected change (2024–2034)
-11%
Annual openings (projected average)
13,200
Pay & Preparation
$46,330
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Operations Monitoring (3.5/5) • Operation and Control (3.38/5) • Quality Control Analysis (3/5) • Troubleshooting (3/5) • Critical Thinking (3/5) • Monitoring (3/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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