Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.

What you'd actually do

• Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
• Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
• Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
• Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions.
• Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products.
• Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Overall preparation: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; much of the day is spent working solo. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0% of extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are hands-on and organized and detail-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender make?

The median pay is $22.00 per hour — roughly $46,000 a year, with the real range running from about $16.65/hr (10th percentile) to $30.51/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender?

The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

What does a extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tender actually do all day?

Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients. Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment. Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.