Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median salary of $46,630 per year, ranking in the top 73% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -19.6% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

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

The median annual wage for drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $46,630. That puts drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic at #590 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is -19.6%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 5K positions in 2024 to 4K in 2034, a net change of -1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

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

According to O*NET task surveys of working drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
2. 2.Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.
3. 3.Perform minor assembly, such as fastening parts with nuts, bolts, or screws, using power tools or hand tools.
4. 4.Operate single- or multiple-spindle drill presses to bore holes so that machining operations can be performed on metal or plastic workpieces.
5. 5.Sharpen cutting tools, using bench grinders.
6. 6.Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.
7. 7.Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.
8. 8.Lift workpieces onto work tables either manually or with hoists or direct crane operators to lift and position workpieces.

Top skills for drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
  $122,610 median
• Power Distributors and Dispatchers
  $107,240 median
• Power Plant Operators
  $99,670 median
• Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers
  $97,540 median
• Gas Plant Operators
  $83,400 median
• Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
  $75,190 median

Common questions parents ask about drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic