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

Also called: Machine Operator, Press Operator, Saw Operator, Setup Operator

Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

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Median pay BLS, 2025$46,330
Openings a year BLS, 2025–3513,200
Typical education to start BLSHigh school diploma or equivalent
AI exposure BLS, Aug 2026 Low
Projected job growth BLS, 2025–35 -10.5%

What the data says: AI could halve the time on 1 of its 30 rated tasks, and jobs are projected to shrink 10.5% by 2035. How to think about this →

About this projection

BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”

It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”

On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”

Recent conditions

  • In 2024, 4.4% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
  • From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 5.4 hires for every 10 job openings in durable goods manufacturing, which employs about 79% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.

How to read these

Pay compared with all occupations BLS median wages Pays more than 23% of 825 occupations
lowest-paidhighest-paid

Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates

$39k$54knot published

Median pay in every state
StateMedianMiddle half earnJobs
Alabama$43,830$37,850 to $48,0006,000
Alaska$49,010$45,160 to $58,32080
Arizona$46,610$39,780 to $51,2401,100
Arkansas$45,580$37,140 to $51,1603,020
California$48,450$43,710 to $58,4507,710
Colorado$50,790$45,840 to $59,8301,400
Connecticut$46,280$38,440 to $53,9202,030
Delaware$41,640$39,860 to $48,380240
Florida$39,440$36,180 to $46,6702,740
Georgia$45,080$38,690 to $50,7305,260
Idaho$39,580$37,650 to $46,200720
Illinois$48,990$41,670 to $59,0308,060
Indiana$46,980$40,630 to $56,3509,680
Iowa$48,240$40,120 to $52,7302,030
Kansas$46,840$39,520 to $53,6701,900
Kentucky$45,760$39,300 to $60,2307,290
Louisiana$40,870$37,660 to $48,900760
Maine$51,820$47,130 to $60,440180
Maryland$47,320$39,420 to $50,780270
Massachusetts$45,760$39,570 to $57,4602,590
Michigan$46,120$38,580 to $66,13022,060
Minnesota$49,770$42,850 to $60,1306,130
Mississippi$40,650$36,220 to $48,9901,700
Missouri$48,310$39,500 to $60,1703,240
Montana$48,490$45,280 to $51,680130
Nebraska$48,690$39,520 to $58,0201,320
Nevada$47,690$40,540 to $50,420580
New Hampshire$48,110$41,950 to $52,430600
New Jersey$45,680$40,130 to $51,8001,950
New Mexico$39,430$36,400 to $45,580220
New York$46,930$39,800 to $57,0703,340
North Carolina$43,400$37,390 to $50,0903,940
North Dakota$48,400$47,230 to $56,670230
Ohio$45,230$38,360 to $50,64013,350
Oklahoma$40,930$36,260 to $49,8702,480
Oregon$53,680$48,070 to $59,5501,180
Pennsylvania$47,860$40,710 to $58,7808,890
Puerto Rico$24,090$21,840 to $28,670240
Rhode Island$48,170$43,550 to $59,780470
South Carolina$44,420$39,230 to $49,2904,100
South Dakota$46,060$41,900 to $53,330490
Tennessee$44,780$37,580 to $48,3105,380
Texas$42,720$36,940 to $47,46013,290
Utah$46,670$44,030 to $50,9601,050
Vermont$43,560$39,640 to $51,95070
Virginia$47,300$41,380 to $52,8901,790
Washington$51,160$46,280 to $60,8901,750
West Virginia$43,070$35,410 to $57,570290
Wisconsin$49,270$43,930 to $58,5607,960
Wyoming$46,890$45,520 to $51,87060

Nationally: $46,330. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this

How AI touches the work

What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.

AI could halve the time on 1 of its 30 rated tasks

0 · AI alone could halve the time 1 · AI + software built on it could 29 · Not much 1 · Not rated
AI ratingIts main tasks Share of Claude conversations
May 2026
Not much Clean work area. Not published
Not much Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material. Not published
Not much Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws. Not published
Not much Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers. Not published
Not much Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data. Not published
Not much Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances. Not published
See all 31 tasks
Not much Load workpieces, plastic material, or chemical solutions into machines. Not published
Not much Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools. Not published
Not much Turn controls to set cutting speeds, feed rates, or table angles for specified operations. Not published
Not much 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. Not published
Not much Position, align, and secure workpieces against fixtures or stops on machine beds or on dies. Not published
Not much Clean and lubricate machines. Not published
Not much Lubricate workpieces with oil. Not published
Not much Position guides, stops, holding blocks, or other fixtures to secure and direct workpieces, using hand tools and measuring devices. Not published
Not much Turn valves to start flow of coolant against cutting areas or to start airflow that blows cuttings away from kerfs. Not published
Not much Adjust ram strokes of presses to specified lengths, using hand tools. Not published
Not much Mark identifying data on workpieces. Not published
Not much Set stops on machine beds, change dies, and adjust components, such as rams or power presses, when making multiple or successive passes. Not published
AI + software Plan sequences of operations, applying knowledge of physical properties of workpiece materials. Not published
Not much Replace defective blades or wheels, using hand tools. Not published
Not much Scribe reference lines on workpieces as guides for cutting operations, according to blueprints, templates, sample parts, or specifications. Not published
Not much Sharpen dulled blades, using bench grinders, abrasive wheels, or lathes. Not published
Not much Place workpieces on cutting tables, manually or using hoists, cranes, or sledges. Not published
Not much Remove housings, feed tubes, tool holders, or other accessories to replace worn or broken parts, such as springs or bushings. Not published
Not much Operate forklifts to deliver materials. Not published
Not much Grind out burrs or sharp edges, using portable grinders, speed lathes, or polishing jacks. Not published
Not much Select, clean, and install spacers, rubber sleeves, or cutters on arbors. Not published
Not rated Use equipment designed to join sheet metal, such as spot welders. Not published
Not much Hone cutters with oilstones to remove nicks. Not published
Not much Preheat workpieces, using heating furnaces or hand torches. Not published
Not much Set blade tensions, heights, and angles to perform prescribed cuts, using wrenches. Not published

Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 0 of the 31 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.

Where people already use AI

The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 31 tasks fall under 25 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.

Tasks AI could speed up1 of 30 rated tasksEloundou et al. ratings (2023)
Its activities among the 50 people ask AI for help with most2 of 25 activities
  • #8 Read documents or materials to inform work processes
  • #38 Select materials or equipment for operations or projects
Microsoft Copilot (2024), ranked among all 332 activities. The cut-off of 50 is ours.
Work activity This occupation's tasks under it People asked AI for help
in 10,000 conversations		 AI did it for them
in 10,000 conversations
Operate cutting or grinding equipment 0.54#267 0.01#321
Maintain tools or equipment 4.47#136 1.04#167
Position workpieces or materials on equipment 0.61#264 0.17#249
Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance 20#57 4.31#101
Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas 3.36#158 1.16#157
Set up equipment 20#58 4.69#95
Position materials or components for assembly 1.64#208 0.45#213
Read documents or materials to inform work processes 197#8 47#28
Show all 25 activities
Select materials or equipment for operations or projects 45#38 19#49
Plan work activities 21#55 14#57
Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment 6.04#113 1.15#158
Sort materials or products 3.97#147 1.71#135
Inspect completed work or finished products 3.91#150 1.95#130
Mark materials or objects for identification 3.28#160 0.80#172
Maintain operational records 2.92#170 0.49#209
Disassemble equipment 2.48#182 0.82#170
Repair tools or equipment 1.87#202 0.18#246
Monitor equipment operation 1.87#203 0.26#236
Smooth surfaces of objects or equipment 1.07#231 0.35#228
Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipment 0.84#245 0.32#232
Prepare industrial materials for processing or use 0.42#277 0.17#251
Join parts using soldering, welding, or brazing techniques 0.19#300 0.02#309
Load products, materials, or equipment for transportation or further processing 0.15#308 0.01#322
Operate industrial processing or production equipment 0.13#309 0.02#301
Operate lifting or moving equipment 0.09#318 0.02#311
Task: AI alone Task: AI + software Task: not much #: rank among all 332 activities Microsoft measured (#1 = most common; activities that never came up share last place, shown as “tied”)
How to read this

Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.

The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.

More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude

High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs

BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.

AI exposure and projected job growth, 831 occupationsLow exposure: 134 of 213 occupations projected to grow. Moderate exposure: 151 of 206 occupations projected to grow. High exposure: 165 of 206 occupations projected to grow. Very high exposure: 141 of 206 occupations projected to grow.-20%-15%-10%-5%0%+5%+10%+15%+20%+25%Low134 of 213 growingModerate151 of 206 growingHigh165 of 206 growingVery high141 of 206 growing11 occupations outside −20% to +25% are drawn at the edge. Click a dot to see that occupation.Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic: -10.5%Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticAI exposure and projected job growth, 831 occupationsLow exposure: 134 of 213 occupations projected to grow. Moderate exposure: 151 of 206 occupations projected to grow. High exposure: 165 of 206 occupations projected to grow. Very high exposure: 141 of 206 occupations projected to grow.-20%-15%-10%-5%0%+5%+10%+15%+20%+25%Low134 of 213Moderate151 of 206High165 of 206Very high141 of 20611 occupations outside −20% to +25% are drawn at the edge. Tap a dot.Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic: -10.5%Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Career moves into and out of this occupation

From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.

Where people moved next

of 18,134 moves out

  1. 1 Production Workers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
  2. 2 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Moderate +3.8% 5%
  3. 3 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Low +1.8% 5%
  4. 4 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
  5. 5 Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Low +1.5% 3%

Where people moved in from

of 16,478 moves in

  1. 1 Production Workers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 8%
  2. 2 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Low +1.8% 6%
  3. 3 Nursing Assistants Low +2.6% 4%
  4. 4 Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Low +1.5% 3%
  5. 5 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 3%

Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).

Education and training for the occupation

Education people in it hold

O*NET survey of workers in this occupation

  • 1% less than high school
  • 63% high school
  • 35% postsecondary certificate
  • 1% some college

O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 17 people answered.

Census survey (American Community Survey)

  • 17% less than high school
  • 57% high school
  • 16% some college
  • 6% associate's
  • 3% bachelor's
  • 1% master's

Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 609 people surveyed.

Why the two can differ

O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide

Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation

Programs that prepare people for it (NCES)
2 programs: Machine Tool Technology/Machinist and Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking.

Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023

14.1% this occupation

45.3% all occupations

By kindThis occupationAll occupations
a license<0.5%19.1%
a certification<0.5%5.8%
an educational certificate<0.5%2.8%

Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this

Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor

  • Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
  • Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
  • License Finder ↗ licenses by state
  • Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 4 registered apprenticeships in this occupation. Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic” there.

These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide

See where your own career could go Start by uploading your resume Browse careers

BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS

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