Milling & Planing Machine Setters, Operators, & Tenders, Metal & Plastic

Also called: Machine Operator, Mill Operator,

What they do:

Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

On the job, you would:

Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

manufacture and distribution of products

Engineering and Technology

mechanical

Math and Science

arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Basic Skills

keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Hand and Finger Use

hold or move items with your hands
keep your arm or hand steady

Verbal

communicate by speaking
listen and understand what people say

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cooperation
Self Control
Initiative
Integrity

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software

Autodesk AutoCAD
Siemens PLM Software Solid Edge

Object or component oriented development software

G code
M code

Spreadsheet software

Microsoft Excel

high school diploma/GED
some college

usually needed

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

$43,210

$27,320

$63,960