# 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.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 51-9041.00
- **Summary:** 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.

## Aliases

- Extruder Operator
- Extrusion Operator
- Machine Operator
- Press Operator
- Glass Forming Crew Member
- Tuber Operator
- Abrasive Wheel Molder
- Air Bag Curer
- Alfalfa Dehydrator Operator
- Arch Cushion Press Operator
- Artificial Log Machine Operator
- Auger Press Operator

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Activate machines to shape or form products, such as candy bars, light bulbs, balloons, or insulation panels. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards. | Core | 4.A.4.a.2.g |
| Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.an |
| Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Select and install machine components, such as dies, molds, and cutters, according to specifications, using hand tools and measuring devices. | Supplemental | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| Review work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Turn controls to adjust machine functions, such as regulating air pressure, creating vacuums, and adjusting coolant flow. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Clean dies, arbors, compression chambers, and molds, using swabs, sponges, or air hoses. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.c |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Operate metal or plastic forming equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.f |
| Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products. | 4.A.1.b.2.f |
| Weigh finished products. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Select production equipment according to product specifications. | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Record operational or production data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs. | 4.A.4.a.2.g |
| Feed materials or products into or through equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Remove products or workpieces from production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.an |
| Clear equipment jams. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Move products, materials, or equipment between work areas. | 4.A.3.a.1.j |
| Apply parting agents or other solutions to molds. | 4.A.3.a.2.an |
| Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information. | 4.A.1.b.1.a |
| Record production information. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Remove accessories, tools, or other parts from equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.s |
| Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly. | 4.A.3.a.2.ao |
| Stack finished items for further processing or shipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Remove workpieces from molds. | 4.A.3.a.2.an |
| Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing. | 4.A.3.a.2.l |
| Send information, materials or documentation. | 4.A.4.c.1.e |
| Clean production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair. | 4.A.3.a.2.s |
| Load materials into production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Connect supply lines to production equipment or tools. | 4.A.3.a.2.ah |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.75 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.75 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3.75 |
| Rate Control | ability | 3.75 |
| Reaction Time | ability | 3.75 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.67 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.62 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 3.55 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.38 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.38 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.38 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.25 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.25 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.25 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3.25 |
| Auditory Attention | ability | 3.25 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.13 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.12 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.12 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.12 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.12 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.12 |
| Visualization | ability | 3.12 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.12 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3.12 |
| Static Strength | ability | 3.12 |
| Trunk Strength | ability | 3.12 |
| Stamina | ability | 3.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Troubleshooting | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Response Orientation | ability | 3 |
| Depth Perception | ability | 3 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | ability | 3 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3 |

## Skills

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

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 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 |
| Operational databases | Data base user interface and query software | no | no |
| Production scheduling software | Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain 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 | 5 |
| Spend Time Standing | 4.55 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4.43 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.36 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 4.34 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4.28 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.2 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.16 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.09 |
| Contact With Others | 4.05 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 4.04 |
| Time Pressure | 3.92 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.78 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.66 |
| Physical Proximity | 3.64 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 3.64 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.62 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 3.59 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.55 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.54 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.52 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.35 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.33 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.32 |
| Degree of Automation | 3.23 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.2 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.12 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.06 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 3.03 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 3.02 |
| Telephone Conversations | 2.88 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.84 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 2.83 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.73 |
| Exposed to High Places | 2.69 |
| Level of Competition | 2.64 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 2.36 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 2.35 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 2.33 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 2.15 |

## 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 | 78.21 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 9.07 |
| Some College Courses | 7.77 |
| First Professional Degree | 3.9 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 0.72 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 0.33 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 6.54 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 4.3 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 4.12 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 3.62 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 2.81 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.23 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 2.19 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 2.18 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.14 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 1.82 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 1.63 |
| Information Technology | specific_interest_area | 1.44 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 1.34 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 1.28 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 1.26 |
| Management/Administration | specific_interest_area | 1.26 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-6091.00 | role-51-6091-00 | Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | Primary-Short |
| 53-7063.00 | role-53-7063-00 | Machine Feeders and Offbearers | Primary-Short |
| 51-9032.00 | role-51-9032-00 | Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Short |
| 51-9196.00 | role-51-9196-00 | Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Short |
| 51-9191.00 | role-51-9191-00 | Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders | Primary-Short |
| 51-4023.00 | role-51-4023-00 | Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-4072.00 | role-51-4072-00 | Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-9111.00 | role-51-9111-00 | Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 51-7042.00 | role-51-7042-00 | Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | Primary-Long |
| 51-9021.00 | role-51-9021-00 | Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 51-4031.00 | role-51-4031-00 | Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Supplemental |
| 51-9051.00 | role-51-9051-00 | Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

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

## Education Level

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

## Study Programs


## Market

- **Median Wage:** 45130
- **Mean Wage:** 47040
- **Pct10Wage:** 34790
- **Pct25Wage:** 38410
- **Pct75Wage:** 51970
- **Pct90Wage:** 64660
- **Employment:** 57310
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 53230 | 45590 | 11.22 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 1790 | 34630 | 0.53 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 1730 | 38860 | 0.77 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 1490 | 33200 | 1.51 |
| 339910 | 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | National industry | 200 | 36550 | 27.01 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 160 | 36800 | 0.03 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 110 | 50050 | 0.04 |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 60 | 37580 |  |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 60 | 40160 |  |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 60 | 43840 |  |
| 48-49 | 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | Sector | 50 | 45100 |  |
| 11 | 11 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | Sector |  | 41920 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 339910 | 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | National industry | 200 | 27.01 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 53230 | 11.22 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 1490 | 1.51 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 1730 | 0.77 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 1790 | 0.53 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 110 | 0.04 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 160 | 0.03 |
- **Count:** 13

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.93 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -1.042151 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.7834548 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -1.137883 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 16
- **Percentile:** 13
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 16 | felten_aioe |
| 10 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 21 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -1.042151 | 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) | 0.07500000000000001 | 10 | 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) | 0.07665590132528649 | 21 | 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:** 0.93
- **Percentile:** 84
- **Band:** High
- **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:** 0.07500000000000001
- **Beta:** 0.07500000000000001
- **Gamma:** 0.07500000000000001

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 2
- **Growth Percentile:** 40
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 5.2
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 49
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 57.3
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 58.4

### 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 |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 26
- **Skills:** 35
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 7
- **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:** d1f3d079d6413f4a