Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces. The role reports a median annual salary of $46,630 in the US and is projected to decline by 20% over the next decade. Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.56 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Operation and Control, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £31,500 a year for Metal working machine operatives (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £27,304 to £39,688 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8120). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
No official India pay figure for this career: it falls in more than one occupation group, and the Government of India's labour survey (PLFS) publishes pay only by occupation group.
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Design
- Administration and Management
What you'd actually do
- Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.
- Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
- Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.
- Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.
- Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.
- Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do?
Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
How much does Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn?
The median annual salary for Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the US is $46,630.
What is the job outlook for Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
The role is projected to decline by 20% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 5,300 workers.
How do I become drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, Operation and Control, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
Our AI-durability model gives Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic a score of 0.56 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.