Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Career, Salary and Skills

Occupation description

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

National salary and employment

Top skills

Typical tasks

• 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.
• Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
• Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders.
• Study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations.

Technology

• Autodesk AutoCAD
• EditCNC
• Extensible markup language XML
• G-code
• Kentech machine shop software
• M-code
• Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word
• Siemens Solid Edge
• SmartCAMcnc SmartCAM
• SWIVEL Software

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary by location

Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.

• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in CA
  Median $59,050 · Employment 1,960
• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in TN
  Median $43,710 · Employment 1,170
• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in MI
  Median $48,400 · Employment 670
• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Los Angeles, CA
  Median $54,090 · Employment 660
• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in OH
  Median $51,310 · Employment 610
• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in IN
  Median $57,720 · Employment 590
• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in IL
  Median $63,360 · Employment 570
• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in NY
  Median $56,560 · Employment 550
• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in KY
  Median $66,440 · Employment 540
• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in TX
  Median $53,840 · Employment 510
• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in Chicago, IL
  Median $63,360 · Employment 470
• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Salary in PA
  Median $47,690 · Employment 410

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