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Skilled Trades

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.

Median salary (BLS)

$47,180

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$36k – $74k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

Plan a path to Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

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 "Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic" — 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 Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Entry / Junior

    $35,780

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Established

    $47,180

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Senior

    $60,815

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments.
  • •Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists.
  • •Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences.
  • •Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.
  • •Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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