Extruding, Forming, Pressing, & Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, & Tenders

Also called: Extruder Operator, Extrusion Operator, Machine Operator, Press Operator,

What they do:

Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.

On the job, you would:

Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

manufacture and distribution of products

Engineering and Technology

mechanical
computers and electronics

Basic Skills

keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
talking to others

Problem Solving

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

Hand and Finger Use

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

Controlled Movement

change when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving
quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat

Endurance

exercise for a long time without getting out of breath

Verbal

communicate by speaking

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
Initiative
Self Control
Adaptability/Flexibility

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software

Microsoft Excel

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Office suite software

Microsoft Office

high school diploma/GED

usually needed

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

$35,480

$24,970

$53,510