Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

ManufacturingO*NET 51-4032.00United States

Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning

Median annual earnings: $49,088
Projected change: −18.3%
Typical education: High school diploma or less
Employment: 5.13K jobs

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Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

The work

What drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.
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.
Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.
Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.
Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.
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.
Observe drilling or boring machine operations to detect any problems.
Lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces.
Install tools in spindles.
Turn valves and direct flow of coolants or cutting oil over cutting areas.
Operate single- or multiple-spindle drill presses to bore holes so that machining operations can be performed on metal or plastic workpieces.
Lay out reference lines and machining locations on work, using layout tools, and applying knowledge of shop math and layout techniques.
Perform minor assembly, such as fastening parts with nuts, bolts, or screws, using power tools or hand tools.
Sharpen cutting tools, using bench grinders.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile: $36,296
25th percentile: $41,704
50th percentile: $49,088
75th percentile: $57,928
90th percentile: $68,411

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $49,088 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

−18.3%projected to decline

20255,126 jobs

2035 projected4,188 jobs

938 fewer positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

High school diploma or less: 66.6%
Some college: 12.2%
Associate degree: 12.1%
Bachelor's degree: 7.1%
Certificate: 1.9%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

Machine Operation
Machinery
Lifting Ability
Mechanical Aptitude
Calipers
Tooling
General Mathematics
Hand Tools
Forklift Truck
Packaging And Labeling
Housekeeping
Safety Procedures
Machine Setup
Machining
Micrometer
Blueprinting
Personal Protective Equipment
Continuous Improvement Process
Manual Dexterity
Punch Press

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Equipment Selection: Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

01Press Machine Operators324 postings
02Press Operators139 postings
03Press Brake Machine Operators66 postings
04Machine Operators58 postings
05Punch Press Operators48 postings
06Machine Operators/Laborers38 postings
07Drill Press Operators31 postings
08Manufacturing Operators24 postings
09Machine Operator Assistants22 postings
10Flexographic Press Operators21 postings
11Utility Machine Operators19 postings
12Heavy Machine Operators18 postings
13General Laborers/Machine Operators16 postings
14Lead Machine Operators14 postings
15Vending Operators13 postings
16Stamping Press Operators10 postings
17Digital Press Operators9 postings
18Freezer Managers9 postings
19Machine Setup Operators9 postings
20Utility Operators8 postings

Top employers

01Aerotek52 postings
02ManpowerGroup39 postings
03The Sheridan Group38 postings
04Staffmark20 postings
05Adecco19 postings
06Randstad14 postings
07Surge Staffing14 postings
08Multi-Color Corporation13 postings
09Spherion Staffing11 postings
10Kelly Services10 postings
11American Packaging Corporation9 postings
12ThyssenKrupp9 postings
13Eaton Corporation8 postings
14Nesco Resource8 postings
15PrideStaff8 postings
16Mohawk Industries6 postings
17The Armor Group6 postings
18Career Concepts USA5 postings
19Express Employment Professionals5 postings
20Klein Tools5 postings

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