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Skilled Trades

Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers

Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials, such as liquid polymer, rayon, and fiberglass.

Median salary (BLS)

$46,350

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$36k – $64k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

Plan a path to Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers

    Entry / Junior

    $35,890

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers

    Established

    $46,350

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers

    Senior

    $55,130

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form filaments from synthetic materials such as rayon, fiberglass, or liquid polymers.
  • •Press buttons to stop machines when processes are complete or when malfunctions are detected.
  • •Notify other workers of defects, and direct them to adjust extruding and forming machines.
  • •Observe machine operations, control boards, and gauges to detect malfunctions such as clogged bushings and defective binder applicators.
  • •Load materials into extruding and forming machines, using hand tools, and adjust feed mechanisms to set feed rates.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.