# Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

> Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 51-4031.00
- **Summary:** Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

## Aliases

- Machine Operator
- Press Operator
- Saw Operator
- Setup Operator
- Die Setter
- Fabrication Operator
- Machine Setter
- Press Brake Operator
- Punch Press Operator
- Slitter Operator
- Adjuster
- Angle Shear Operator

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Lubricate workpieces with oil. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Install, align, and lock specified punches, dies, cutting blades, or other fixtures in rams or beds of machines, using gauges, templates, feelers, shims, and hand tools. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Adjust ram strokes of presses to specified lengths, using hand tools. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Position, align, and secure workpieces against fixtures or stops on machine beds or on dies. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Set stops on machine beds, change dies, and adjust components, such as rams or power presses, when making multiple or successive passes. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.at |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products. | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Sort materials or products for processing, storing, shipping, or grading. | 4.A.2.a.2.b |
| Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Load materials into production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Operate cutting equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Record operational or production data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Inspect production equipment. | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Clean production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Lubricate production equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly. | 4.A.3.a.2.ao |
| Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references. | 4.A.3.a.2.ao |
| Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Operate metal or plastic forming equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Set equipment guides, stops, spacers, or other fixtures. | 4.A.3.a.2.at |
| Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Apply lubricants or coolants to workpieces. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Replace worn equipment components. | 4.A.3.b.4.c |
| Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information. | 4.A.1.b.1.a |
| Plan production or operational procedures or sequences. | 4.A.2.b.6.b |
| Smooth metal surfaces or edges. | 4.A.3.a.2.o |
| Operate grinding equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Sharpen cutting or grinding tools. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair. | 4.A.3.a.2.s |
| Remove accessories, tools, or other parts from equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.s |
| Select production equipment according to product specifications. | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| Heat material or workpieces to prepare for or complete production. | 4.A.3.a.2.m |
| Clean work areas. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Operate forklifts or other loaders. | 4.A.3.a.3.h |
| Weld metal components. | 4.A.3.a.2.ai |
| Braze metal parts or components. | 4.A.3.a.2.ai |
| Operate welding equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.ai |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.75 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.75 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.75 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.5 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.25 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.25 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.25 |
| Reaction Time | ability | 3.25 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.12 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3 |
| Troubleshooting | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3 |
| Visualization | ability | 3 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3 |
| Rate Control | ability | 3 |
| Static Strength | ability | 3 |
| Trunk Strength | ability | 3 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3 |
| Depth Perception | ability | 3 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 2.96 |
| English Language | knowledge | 2.95 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 2.75 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 2.75 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 2.75 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Operational Databases | Specialized Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Industrial Control Software | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Autodesk AutoCAD | Computer aided design CAD software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | no |
| Automated inventory software | Inventory management software | no | no |
| Computerized numerical control CNC software | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Operational databases | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Striker Systems SS-Punch | Computer aided manufacturing CAM software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.86 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4.74 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 4.71 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4.64 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.62 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 4.46 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.37 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 4.33 |
| Time Pressure | 4.14 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 4.13 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.04 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 3.89 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.77 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.73 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.65 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.45 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 3.2 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 3.16 |
| Contact With Others | 3.12 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 3.12 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 3.06 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.05 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.04 |
| Conflict Situations | 3.03 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.01 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 2.94 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.86 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 2.69 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 2.68 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 2.57 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 2.57 |
| Outdoors, Under Cover | 2.43 |
| Degree of Automation | 2.42 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 2.36 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.34 |
| Level of Competition | 2.27 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 2.26 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 2.03 |
| Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People | 1.86 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 1.71 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 63.43 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 34.85 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 0.86 |
| Some College Courses | 0.86 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 6.86 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 4.5 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.3 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 2.55 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 2.44 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 2.44 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.25 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.22 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 2.04 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 1.96 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 1.6 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 1.28 |
| Accounting | specific_interest_area | 1.2 |
| Management/Administration | specific_interest_area | 1.14 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 1.1 |
| Information Technology | specific_interest_area | 1.08 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-9032.00 | role-51-9032-00 | Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Short |
| 51-7042.00 | role-51-7042-00 | Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | Primary-Short |
| 51-4035.00 | role-51-4035-00 | Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-4033.00 | role-51-4033-00 | Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-4023.00 | role-51-4023-00 | Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-4022.00 | role-51-4022-00 | Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-4081.00 | role-51-4081-00 | Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-9022.00 | role-51-9022-00 | Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand | Primary-Long |
| 51-4194.00 | role-51-4194-00 | Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners | Primary-Long |
| 51-4111.00 | role-51-4111-00 | Tool and Die Makers | Primary-Long |
| 51-4034.00 | role-51-4034-00 | Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Supplemental |
| 51-6062.00 | role-51-6062-00 | Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Advanced Manufacturing | advanced-manufacturing |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Precision Production | precision-production |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 45590
- **Mean Wage:** 47060
- **Pct10Wage:** 35000
- **Pct25Wage:** 38400
- **Pct75Wage:** 52150
- **Pct90Wage:** 62650
- **Employment:** 174430
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 154400 | 45810 | 10.69 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 11340 | 46420 | 1.66 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 6590 | 36060 | 0.64 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 5730 | 36240 | 1.91 |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 3190 | 46270 | 10.86 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 800 | 47520 | 0.09 |
| 339910 | 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | National industry | 380 | 39780 | 16.86 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 330 | 46410 | 0.03 |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector | 320 | 39200 | 0.1 |
| 238220 | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | National industry | 190 | 82530 | 0.13 |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 190 | 42730 | 0.02 |
| 51 | 51 | Information | Sector | 190 | 41170 | 0.06 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 339910 | 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | National industry | 380 | 16.86 |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 3190 | 10.86 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 154400 | 10.69 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 5730 | 1.91 |
| 513110 | 513110 | Newspaper Publishers | National industry | 190 | 1.85 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 11340 | 1.66 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 6590 | 0.64 |
| 238220 | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | National industry | 190 | 0.13 |
- **Count:** 17

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.78 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -1.036569 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.6893845 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -1.149575 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 15
- **Percentile:** 12
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 16 | felten_aioe |
| 5 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 23 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -1.036569 | 16 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.02 | 5 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.08091224092923416 | 23 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.78
- **Percentile:** 63
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0
- **Beta:** 0.01
- **Gamma:** 0.02

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -12.1
- **Growth Percentile:** 4
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 14.4
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 72
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 174.7
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 153.6

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Ai Playbook

- **Trusted Task Count:** 1
- **Task Count:** 1
- **Total Sample:** 31
- **Autonomy Median:** 3
- **Dominant Collaboration:** directive
- **Automation Share:** 48.39

### Collaboration

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| directive | 48.39 |

### Use Case

| Label | Percent |
| --- | --- |
| coursework | 54.84 |

### Delegated Tasks

| Task | Usage Percent | Collaboration | Autonomy Median | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers. | 0.0031003875484435553 | directive | 3 | 31 |

### Boundary Tasks

| Task | Human Needed Percent | Sample Count |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers. | 96.7741935483871 | 31 |

### Seed Prompts

| Prompt | Collaboration |
| --- | --- |
| Do this for me: measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers. Give me a finished draft I can review and adjust. | directive |
- **Release:** 2026-01-15-v4-plus-2025-03-27-v2

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 31
- **Skills:** 36
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 10
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 16501a173ff6672a