Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Career, Salary and Skills
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $49,080 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 4,680. Wage data is published for 53 locations.
Occupation description
Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
O*NET code
51-4032.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$49,080
Hourly median
$23.60
Employment
4,680
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
$36,300
10th
$41,710
25th
$49,080
Median
$57,940
75th
$68,410
90th
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.62 | 3.75 |
| Operation and Control | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Active Listening | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.00 | 2.62 |
| Speaking | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Time Management | 3.00 | 2.25 |
Typical tasks
- Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
- Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.
- Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.
- Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.
- Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.
- Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.
- Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices.
- Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.
Technology
- Automated inventory software
- Computerized numerical control CNC software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in CAMedian $49,080 · Employment 690
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in TNMedian $45,070 · Employment 400
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $49,080 · Employment 400
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in ILMedian $56,720 · Employment 390
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in INMedian $39,110 · Employment 300
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in OKMedian $55,230 · Employment 250
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in TXMedian $44,350 · Employment 220
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in OHMedian $51,670 · Employment 200
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in MIMedian $60,410 · Employment 190
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Tulsa, OKMedian $58,210 · Employment 180
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in PAMedian $46,370 · Employment 180
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in ALMedian $53,110 · Employment 140
Related careers
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $47,720
- Layout Workers, Metal and PlasticNational median $63,870
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersNational median $47,920
- Industrial Machinery MechanicsNational median $64,520
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $49,030
- Earth Drillers, Except Oil and GasNational median $60,190
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, WoodNational median $42,770
- MachinistsNational median $58,750
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.