Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers earn a median salary of $44,980 per year, ranking in the top 77% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -1.1% 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 extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers earn?

The median annual wage for extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers is $44,980. That puts extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers at #626 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 extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers is -1.1%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 15K positions in 2024 to 15K in 2034, a net change of 0K. 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 extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

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

Top skills for extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers

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 extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fiber?

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

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Common questions parents ask about extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers