Skip to main contentReport an accessibility problem
ASU for LifeASU for Life

Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers

ManufacturingO*NET 51-6091.00United States

Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials, such as liquid polymer, rayon, and fiberglass.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning
Median annual earnings
$46,209

50th percentile, United States

Projected change
+1%

2025 to 2035

Typical education
High school diploma or less

93.5% of the workforce

Employment
14.86K jobs

Growing to 15.02K by 2035

Explore this career by location

Compare nationwide estimates with state or county job-market data.

Showing United States

Loading available locations…

Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

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

Loading related ASU learning

The work

What extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers do

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

  • Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form filaments from synthetic materials such as rayon, fiberglass, or liquid polymers.
  • Press buttons to stop machines when processes are complete or when malfunctions are detected.
  • Notify other workers of defects, and direct them to adjust extruding and forming machines.
  • Observe machine operations, control boards, and gauges to detect malfunctions such as clogged bushings and defective binder applicators.
  • Load materials into extruding and forming machines, using hand tools, and adjust feed mechanisms to set feed rates.
  • Move controls to activate and adjust extruding and forming machines.
  • Record details of machine malfunctions.
  • Clean and maintain extruding and forming machines, using hand tools.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile
$35,514
25th percentile
$39,120
50th percentile
$46,209
75th percentile
$57,203
90th percentile
$64,810

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $46,209 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

+1%average or slower
202514,862 jobs
2035 projected15,017 jobs

155 more 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
93.5%
Certificate
6.5%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

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

  • Extrusion
  • Lifting Ability
  • General Mathematics
  • Housekeeping
  • Machinery
  • Forklift Truck
  • Tooling
  • Food Safety And Sanitation
  • Calipers
  • Machine Operation
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Hand Tools
  • Tape Measure
  • Mechanical Aptitude
  • Micrometer
  • HVAC
  • Quality Management
  • Packaging And Labeling
  • Production Process
  • Safety Standards

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.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Equipment Selection
Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

  1. 01Extrusion Operators89 postings
  2. 02Extruder Operators32 postings
  3. 03Winder Operators5 postings
  4. 04Extrusion Managers2 postings
  5. 05Laser Operators2 postings
  6. 06Converting Operators1 postings
  7. 07Engineering Equipment Operators1 postings
  8. 08Extrusion Process Engineers1 postings
  9. 09Extrusion Technicians1 postings
  10. 10Lead Cable Technicians1 postings
  11. 11Operators1 postings
  12. 12Processing Operators1 postings

Top employers

  1. 01Sealed Air13 postings
  2. 02Southwire13 postings
  3. 03American Packaging Corporation4 postings
  4. 04Conwed4 postings
  5. 05Crystal Finishing Systems4 postings
  6. 06Bonnell Aluminum3 postings
  7. 07Express Employment Professionals3 postings
  8. 08Mayville Engineering Company3 postings
  9. 09Parker Hannifin3 postings
  10. 10ProAmpac's3 postings
  11. 11Zeus Industrial Products3 postings
  12. 12Aerotek2 postings
  13. 13Danfoss2 postings
  14. 14East Jordan Plastics2 postings
  15. 15Inteplast Group2 postings
  16. 16Iowa Aluminum2 postings
  17. 17Jamak Fabrication-tex2 postings
  18. 18ManpowerGroup2 postings
  19. 19Mativ Corporation2 postings
  20. 20Mattr2 postings

Keep looking

Related careers

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

Median pay
$46,467
Employment outlook
+0.5%

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

Median pay
$65,331
Employment outlook
−7.4%

Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate

Median pay
$68,507
Employment outlook
−2.3%

Appraisers of Personal and Business Property

Median pay
$68,507
Employment outlook
−2.3%