Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
About the profession
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
How to Get Started
Take a personality test to see if Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic fits your profile
Career Match Test →Explore the Career Path section to see progression from junior to senior
Jump to Career Path →Start learning — check the Learning Path for free courses
Jump to Learning Path →Career Path
Your career progression roadmap with salary growth at each level
Career Ladder
Trainee Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic → Technician Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic → Senior Technician Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic → Lead Technician Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Where are you on this career path?
Click a level below to set your current position
Salary Growth
4
Levels
60K
Top Salary
8+
Years
Learning Path
Skills you need to develop and courses to get there
🚀
Set your current level first
Go to the Career Path tab and select your current level to see your personalized learning plan.
Go to Career PathCareer levels
Timeline: 0-2 | Entry Level Base: $32,640 - $39,433/year With equity/bonuses: $35,904 - $47,320 Top markets (SF/NYC): $37,536 - $47,320 Execute core tasks using Operations…
Skills used in this career
Click any skill to see how to learn it and what salary boost it gives
Day in Life
Junior vs Senior — daily schedule breakdown
9am — Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
Income Dynamics
Conservative and aggressive scenarios for 10–15 years
Year 1: Entry level $22,848 - $35,490 Year 2-3: Junior level $39,433 - $43,914 Year 4-6: Mid level $43,914 - $47,612 Year 7-10: Senior level $47,612 - $55,669 Year 10+:…
Is this for me?
15 questions — answer honestly
You find the craft of a Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic genuinely interesting, not just a paycheck You enjoy working with…
💰 Salary Range
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