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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $48,310 in the US and is projected to decline by 14% 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, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Critical Thinking, 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
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
What you'd actually do
- Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
- Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
- Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
- Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
- Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.
- Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do?
Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
How much does Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn?
The median annual salary for Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in the US is $48,310.
What is the job outlook for Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
The role is projected to decline by 14% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 13,800 workers.
How do I become milling and planing machine 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 Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Quality Control Analysis. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
Our AI-durability model gives Milling and planing machine 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?
Milling and planing machine 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.