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

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn a median salary of $46,060 per year, ranking in the top 74% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -0.5% 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 multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn?

The median annual wage for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $46,060. That puts multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic at #602 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 multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is -0.5%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 131K positions in 2024 to 130K 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 multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working multiple 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.Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools.
2. 2.Set machine stops or guides to specified lengths as indicated by scales, rules, or templates.
3. 3.Start machines and turn handwheels or valves to engage feeding, cooling, and lubricating mechanisms.
4. 4.Instruct other workers in machine set-up and operation.
5. 5.Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists.
6. 6.Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary.
7. 7.Perform minor machine maintenance, such as oiling or cleaning machines, dies, or workpieces, or adding coolant to machine reservoirs.
8. 8.Make minor electrical and mechanical repairs and adjustments to machines and notify supervisors when major service is required.

Top skills for multiple 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 multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?

Multiple 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.

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