Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

From people doing the work

Day-to-day involves a lot of focus on precision and problem-solving. You're constantly setting up machines, adjusting parameters, and checking your work with micrometers and calipers. It's satisfying to see raw material transform into a precise part, but it can also be repetitive and demands a keen eye for detail. Safety is always a big concern.

Drawn from Practical Machinist Forum, Machinist Reddit, Modern Machine Shop

Attribution: Composite

Composite · Synthesised from Practical Machinist Forum, Machinist Reddit, Modern Machine Shop

A day in the life of Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
70% Team / 30% Solo
Client facing
Never
Impact visibility
Moderate
Travel
Minimal
Schedule flexibility
Rigid
Remote work
On-site Only
Typical work hours
40-50
Stress level
Moderate

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary
$48,310
Entry-level
$36,000
Senior
$68,000
Growth by 2033
-14.4%
Demand
Declining
Freelance potential
Low
Salary growth potential
89%
Typical student debt
Moderate

Skills you need as Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Hard skills

  • Mechanical
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Computer aided design CAD software

Soft skills

  • Coordination
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Critical Thinking

Technical complexity: Low

Tools of the trade

Core tools

  • CNC Milling Machine (Hardware): Used for automated precision cutting and shaping of metal and plastic workpieces.
  • Planing Machine (Hardware): Used for creating flat surfaces and grooves on large workpieces.
  • CAD/CAM Software (Software): Used for designing parts and generating machine code for CNC machines.

Commonly used

  • Micrometers (Hardware): Used for precise measurement of workpiece dimensions to ensure accuracy.
  • Calipers (Hardware): Used for measuring internal and external dimensions of workpieces.
  • Workholding Fixtures (Hardware): Used to secure workpieces during machining operations.
  • Cutting Fluids (Standard): Used to cool and lubricate cutting tools and workpieces, extending tool life and improving surface finish.

How to become Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Minimum education
High School Diploma
Licensing
No
Years to mid-career
3-5
Years to senior
8-12
Career switching
Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

  • Machine Operator: Individuals with basic machine operation skills can transition to setting up and tending milling and planing machines.
  • Fabricator: Experience in metal fabrication provides a foundational understanding of material properties and manufacturing processes.
  • Welder: Welders often work with similar materials and can develop skills in precision machining.

Where you can go from here

  • Machinist: Milling and planing machine operators can advance to become general machinists with broader skills in various machining operations.
  • Tool and Die Maker: With further training, operators can specialize in creating precision tools and dies.
  • CNC Programmer: Operators proficient with CAD/CAM software can transition into programming CNC machines.
  • Quality Control Inspector: Their expertise in precision measurement and part specifications makes them suitable for quality control roles.

Typical progression

  1. Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
  2. Machinists
  3. Tool and Die Makers
  4. or Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic job outlook and future demand

Automation probability
Very High
AI disruption risk
Moderate
Demand trend
Declining

Job satisfaction as Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Overall satisfaction
5.8/10
Meaning
5/10
Work-life balance
6/10
Prestige
4/10
Social perception
Low

Where practitioners gather

Professional organisations

Podcasts and media

  • Modern Machine Shop: A publication providing information on metalworking technology, processes, and industry news.

Reddit communities

  • Machinist Reddit: A community for machinists to share experiences, ask questions, and showcase their work.

Online communities

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