Skilled Trades

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

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

Median salary

$48,310

Typical range

$37k – $75k

Job outlook

See national outlook

AI exposure

Plan a path to Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Education

Typical entry: No degree required

Junior Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Entry / Junior
$36,810
~2 yrs to advance
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Established
$48,310
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Senior
$61,655

•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.
•Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
•Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
•Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.

Any field

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