Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics. The role reports a median annual salary of $45,130 in the US and is showing modest growth of 2% 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, Speaking, Quality Control Analysis.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £28,243 a year for Food, drink and tobacco process operatives (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
Middle half of full-time jobs: £24,471 to £33,889 a year
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 8111). ONS rates this estimate 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
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Food Production
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
What you'd actually do
- Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
- Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
- Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions.
- Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products.
- Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders do?
Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.
How much does Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders earn?
The median annual salary for Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders in the US is $45,130.
What is the job outlook for Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders?
The role is showing modest growth of 2% over the next decade. Current US employment is approximately 57,300 workers.
How do I become extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders?
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 Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Speaking, Quality Control Analysis, Troubleshooting. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders?
Our AI-durability model gives Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders 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?
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.