Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
About the profession
Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
How to Get Started
Take a personality test to see if Lathe and Turning Machine Tool 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 →Personality Fit
Based on the Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic role, here are the RIASEC personality types that tend to thrive in this career. While these alignments are common, individual success depends on motivation, skill development, and finding the right work environment.
Enterprising
Leading, persuading, business
Social
Helping, teaching, working with people
Conventional
Organizing, detail-oriented, structured
Not sure if these types match you? Take the full RIASEC assessment (12-15 min) to discover your personality profile and see how it aligns with hundreds of careers.
Career Path
Your career progression roadmap with salary growth at each level
Career Ladder
Trainee Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic → Technician Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic → Senior Technician Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic → Lead Technician Lathe and Turning Machine Tool 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
64K
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: $35,760 - $42,938/year With equity/bonuses: $39,336 - $51,526 Top markets (SF/NYC): $41,124 - $51,526 Execute core tasks using Operations…
Day in Life
Junior vs Senior, daily schedule breakdown
9am, Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
Income Dynamics
Conservative and aggressive scenarios for 10–15 years
Year 1: Entry level $25,032 - $38,644 Year 2-3: Junior level $42,938 - $47,609 Year 4-6: Mid level $47,609 - $51,618 Year 7-10: Senior level $51,618 - $60,158 Year 10+:…
Is this for me?
15 questions, answer honestly
You find the craft of a Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic genuinely interesting, not just a paycheck You enjoy working with…
💰 Salary Range
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Related Reading
Related Holland / RIASEC Types