Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also called: Cell Technician, CNC Machine Setter (Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Setter), Machine Operator, Machine TechnicianSet up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 4 of its 21 tasks, and jobs are projected to grow 0.6% 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, 3.5% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other metal workers and plastic workers”
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 5.4 hires for every 10 job openings in durable goods manufacturing, which employs about 72% 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.5.4 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $43,800 | $35,810 to $52,690 | 1,680 |
| Arizona | $43,090 | $36,390 to $48,790 | 1,760 |
| Arkansas | $44,080 | $37,170 to $49,470 | 1,570 |
| California | $46,810 | $40,970 to $56,050 | 3,190 |
| Colorado | $46,160 | $45,410 to $60,500 | 220 |
| Connecticut | $42,580 | $38,280 to $49,660 | 2,150 |
| Florida | $41,220 | $37,430 to $47,510 | 2,530 |
| Georgia | $38,810 | $35,980 to $47,210 | 2,980 |
| Idaho | $50,410 | $48,810 to $53,810 | 480 |
| Illinois | $44,350 | $38,070 to $50,570 | 6,090 |
| Indiana | $45,100 | $39,960 to $49,130 | 7,480 |
| Iowa | $48,910 | $45,220 to $53,940 | 4,460 |
| Kansas | $48,450 | $37,650 to $48,460 | 290 |
| Kentucky | $54,960 | $47,250 to $71,260 | 5,510 |
| Louisiana | $46,210 | $37,810 to $54,870 | 900 |
| Maine | $46,710 | $41,720 to $49,000 | 300 |
| Maryland | $51,780 | $44,520 to $61,350 | 400 |
| Massachusetts | $48,230 | $44,810 to $59,810 | 1,390 |
| Michigan | $45,920 | $37,910 to $61,320 | 9,350 |
| Minnesota | $48,980 | $46,420 to $58,730 | 2,540 |
| Mississippi | $36,330 | $32,780 to $41,540 | 1,070 |
| Missouri | $53,160 | $44,820 to $80,080 | 7,220 |
| Nebraska | $50,960 | $41,950 to $54,100 | 1,250 |
| Nevada | $40,310 | $40,310 to $48,030 | not published |
| New Hampshire | $45,710 | $41,410 to $56,380 | 600 |
| New Jersey | $41,390 | $37,700 to $51,320 | 3,090 |
| New York | $49,890 | $42,890 to $61,350 | 3,660 |
| North Carolina | $47,320 | $40,320 to $56,110 | 3,200 |
| North Dakota | $49,190 | $38,170 to $71,140 | 490 |
| Ohio | $46,420 | $38,600 to $56,230 | 11,170 |
| Oklahoma | $46,470 | $38,470 to $51,100 | 2,180 |
| Oregon | $47,470 | $46,940 to $48,090 | 1,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,070 | $42,740 to $57,190 | 7,960 |
| Puerto Rico | $28,770 | $23,360 to $30,250 | 670 |
| Rhode Island | $38,720 | $35,710 to $47,630 | 680 |
| South Carolina | $45,740 | $39,740 to $54,500 | 4,520 |
| South Dakota | $44,700 | $38,090 to $56,380 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $43,630 | $37,120 to $48,310 | 930 |
| Texas | $49,050 | $39,460 to $80,110 | 10,540 |
| Utah | $43,550 | $37,820 to $48,430 | 1,340 |
| Vermont | $50,450 | $48,300 to $61,080 | 110 |
| Virginia | $50,600 | $42,820 to $59,980 | 1,030 |
| Washington | $50,540 | $45,010 to $66,990 | 830 |
| West Virginia | $76,080 | $51,010 to $76,080 | 1,920 |
| Wisconsin | $47,700 | $42,620 to $59,110 | 3,570 |
| Wyoming | $40,000 | $37,920 to $41,250 | 110 |
Nationally: $47,180. 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 4 of its 21 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Not much | Inspect workpieces for defects, and measure workpieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates, or other measuring instruments. | Not published |
| Not much | Select, install, and adjust alignment of drills, cutters, dies, guides, and holding devices, using templates, measuring instruments, and hand tools. | Not published |
| Not much | Position, adjust, and secure stock material or workpieces against stops, on arbors, or in chucks, fixtures, or automatic feeding mechanisms, manually or using hoists. | Not published |
| Not much | Observe machine operation to detect workpiece defects or machine malfunctions, adjusting machines as necessary. | Not published |
| Not much | Read blueprints or job orders to determine product specifications and tooling instructions and to plan operational sequences. | Not published |
| Not much | Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, cutters, shears, borers, millers, grinders, presses, drills, or auxiliary machines, to make metallic and plastic workpieces. | Not published |
See all 21 tasks
| Not much | Change worn machine accessories, such as cutting tools or brushes, using hand tools. | Not published |
| Not much | Perform minor machine maintenance, such as oiling or cleaning machines, dies, or workpieces, or adding coolant to machine reservoirs. | Not published |
| Not much | Instruct other workers in machine set-up and operation. | Not published |
| AI + software | Select the proper coolants and lubricants and start their flow. | Not published |
| AI alone | Compute data, such as gear dimensions or machine settings, applying knowledge of shop mathematics. | Not published |
| Not much | Set machine stops or guides to specified lengths as indicated by scales, rules, or templates. | Not published |
| Not much | Remove burrs, sharp edges, rust, or scale from workpieces, using files, hand grinders, wire brushes, or power tools. | Not published |
| Not much | Move controls or mount gears, cams, or templates in machines to set feed rates and cutting speeds, depths, and angles. | Not published |
| Not much | Make minor electrical and mechanical repairs and adjustments to machines and notify supervisors when major service is required. | Not published |
| Not much | Start machines and turn handwheels or valves to engage feeding, cooling, and lubricating mechanisms. | Not published |
| AI alone | Record operational data, such as pressure readings, lengths of strokes, feed rates, or speeds. | Not published |
| Not much | Measure and mark reference points and cutting lines on workpieces, using traced templates, compasses, and rules. | Not published |
| Not much | Extract or lift jammed pieces from machines, using fingers, wire hooks, or lift bars. | Not published |
| Not much | Align layout marks with dies or blades. | Not published |
| AI + software | Write programs for computer numerical control (CNC) machines to cut metal and plastic materials. | 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 21 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 21 tasks fall under 18 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.
- #8 Read documents or materials to inform work processes
- #31 Program computer systems or production equipment
- #38 Select materials or equipment for operations or projects
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance | |||
| Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment | |||
| Position workpieces or materials on equipment | |||
| Select materials or equipment for operations or projects | |||
| Maintain tools or equipment | |||
| Repair tools or equipment | |||
| Operate cutting or grinding equipment | |||
| Read documents or materials to inform work processes |
Show all 18 activities
| Program computer systems or production equipment | |||
| Set up equipment | |||
| Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas | |||
| Maintain operational records | |||
| Notify others of emergencies or problems | |||
| Monitor equipment operation | |||
| Position materials or components for assembly | |||
| Train others to use equipment or products | |||
| Smooth surfaces of objects or equipment | |||
| Operate industrial processing or production equipment |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A script or snippet28%
- An explanation or answer18%
- Math or a calculation13%
- Code fixes or debugging8%
- A document or report8%
How they worked with Claude
59% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
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 multiple machine tool 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.
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 1,723 moves out
- 1 Model Makers, Metal and Plastic Low -17.3% 7%
- 2 Technical Writers Very high +0.8% 7%
- 3 Engineers, All Other Very high +3.7% 4%
- 4 Production Workers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 5 First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers High +1.8% 4%
Where people moved in from
of 1,520 moves in
- 1 Production Workers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 8%
- 2 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Moderate +5.0% 4%
- 3 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Low +1.8% 4%
- 4 Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Low +1.5% 3%
- 5 Food Preparation Workers Low -3.0% 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
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 1% less than high school
- 82% high school
- 8% postsecondary certificate
- 6% some college
- 4% associate's
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 19 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 14% less than high school
- 52% high school
- 21% some college
- 8% associate's
- 4% bachelor's
- 1% master's
Census ACS 2024, all workers in the Census group “Other metal workers and plastic workers” · 3,391 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 the Census group “Other metal workers and plastic workers”
2 programs: Machine Tool Technology/Machinist and Machine Shop Technology/Assistant.
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
BLS publishes no credential figures for this occupation.
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 17 registered apprenticeships in this occupation. Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Multiple Machine Tool 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
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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