Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Entry-Level Career Resources

Associate Degree Entry Level Careers and Jobs

Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less, having 1 year or less of work experience - All On One Page

Sorted by median annual U.S. salary, including % with Associate's Degree (or less), and % with 1 year experience (or less).

These entry-level roles are open to associate's degree graduates and offer a practical starting point for building experience and advancing. For recent graduates or career changers seeking their first role with a two-year degree. Compare starting salaries and degree-holder percentages, then access preparation resources built for new graduates.

4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video .

This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select an entry-level career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.

Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree entry-level careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover entry-level careers that might be of interest.

Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.

Step 1 of 4: Select a Career

Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs
What entry level jobs can you get with just an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are entry level careers (1 year or less work experience) related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 426 specific careers are listed. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those occupations that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of occupations. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:

Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (% having less than 1 year experience) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)

Air Traffic Controllers / 78.05% / 54.55% / ($137,380)

Anesthesiologist Assistants / 42.69% / 91.42% / ($130,020)

Solar Energy Systems Engineers / 40.74% / 32.13% / ($111,970)

Computer Systems Analysts / 56.64% / 31.42% / ($103,800)

Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers / 99.66% / 38.99% / ($102,420)

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers / 47.05% / 41.17% / ($101,800)

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives / 80.58% / 72.47% / ($101,750)

Nuclear Monitoring Technicians / 84.15% / 36.76% / ($101,740)

Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors / 67.01% / 62.53% / ($99,710)

Video Game Designers / 45.00% / 40.00% / ($98,540)

Radiation Therapists / 62.46% / 42.76% / ($98,300)

Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers / 100.00% / 44.44% / ($94,580)

Nuclear Medicine Technologists / 68.68% / 42.91% / ($92,500)

Detectives and Criminal Investigators / 90.01% / 47.80% / ($91,100)

Police Identification and Records Officers / 75.14% / 39.28% / ($91,100)

Postmasters and Mail Superintendents / 86.55% / 44.63% / ($88,670)

Dental Hygienists / 75.18% / 69.49% / ($87,530)

Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation / 100.00% / 32.59% / ($87,290)

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers / 86.62% / 40.47% / ($86,220)

Registered Nurses / 42.65% / 37.83% / ($86,070)

Critical Care Nurses / 35.71% / 60.71% / ($86,070)

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers / 97.19% / 71.33% / ($85,420)

Web Developers / 50.01% / 33.33% / ($84,960)

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers / 42.07% / 30.56% / ($84,570)

Subway and Streetcar Operators / 100.00% / 63.96% / ($84,270)

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists / 86.96% / 47.82% / ($83,740)

Signal and Track Switch Repairers / 100.00% / 62.23% / ($82,710)

Chemical Plant and System Operators / 63.22% / 34.85% / ($80,030)

Online Merchants / 58.72% / 37.80% / ($79,590)

Respiratory Therapists / 87.90% / 70.85% / ($77,960)

Solar Energy Installation Managers / 93.70% / 75.35% / ($76,760)

Commercial and Industrial Designers / 32.08% / 32.87% / ($76,250)

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists / 57.51% / 56.99% / ($76,210)

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators / 60.66% / 49.63% / ($75,670)

Coroners / 40.00% / 40.00% / ($75,670)

Funeral Home Managers / 93.51% / 44.25% / ($75,660)

Locomotive Engineers / 100.00% / 43.70% / ($74,770)

Fire Inspectors and Investigators / 95.76% / 36.53% / ($74,160)

Writers and Authors / 53.05% / 31.03% / ($73,690)

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists / 90.91% / 72.73% / ($73,500)

Photonics Technicians / 81.82% / 40.92% / ($73,500)

Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling / 40.54% / 30.60% / ($73,460)

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians / 89.37% / 54.21% / ($73,410)

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers / 93.45% / 84.29% / ($72,280)

Customs and Border Protection Officers / 70.66% / 53.52% / ($72,280)

Transit and Railroad Police / 65.67% / 55.34% / ($72,250)

Wellhead Pumpers / 100.00% / 46.56% / ($71,830)

Boilermakers / 100.01% / 55.45% / ($71,140)

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters / 100.00% / 80.65% / ($71,130)

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers / 89.30% / 37.26% / ($70,530)

Electrical and Electronics Drafters / 57.47% / 46.57% / ($69,260)

Park Naturalists / 40.02% / 56.05% / ($68,750)

Surveyors / 52.63% / 30.00% / ($68,540)

Flight Attendants / 87.65% / 58.72% / ($68,370)

Energy Auditors / 75.86% / 31.04% / ($67,700)

Occupational Therapy Assistants / 96.81% / 82.25% / ($67,010)

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators / 100.00% / 73.61% / ($67,000)

Roof Bolters, Mining / 100.00% / 97.75% / ($66,660)

Film and Video Editors / 34.31% / 32.92% / ($66,600)

Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians / 93.42% / 43.17% / ($66,170)

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products / 66.12% / 36.34% / ($65,630)

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School / 32.71% / 31.47% / ($65,130)

Rail Car Repairers / 99.99% / 75.83% / ($65,030)

Forensic Science Technicians / 65.60% / 32.02% / ($64,940)

Crane and Tower Operators / 100.00% / 53.05% / ($64,690)

Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers / 100.00% / 50.27% / ($64,640)

Physical Therapist Assistants / 84.16% / 80.80% / ($64,080)

Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining / 100.00% / 74.51% / ($64,070)

Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners / 97.15% / 72.23% / ($63,940)

Tapers / 100.00% / 36.42% / ($63,350)

Food Service Managers / 90.26% / 44.19% / ($63,060)

Real Estate Brokers / 46.07% / 36.44% / ($63,060)

Millwrights / 100.00% / 45.47% / ($62,980)

Structural Iron and Steel Workers / 94.98% / 58.18% / ($62,760)

Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators / 100.00% / 46.65% / ($61,870)

Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film / 93.10% / 69.17% / ($61,800)

Wind Turbine Service Technicians / 100.01% / 62.56% / ($61,770)

Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas / 91.08% / 43.40% / ($61,770)

Electricians / 98.70% / 50.15% / ($61,590)

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters / 100.01% / 31.51% / ($61,550)

Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians / 77.54% / 54.49% / ($61,550)

Tool and Die Makers / 100.00% / 33.04% / ($61,490)

Continuous Mining Machine Operators / 100.00% / 48.55% / ($61,420)

Commercial Divers / 94.97% / 57.15% / ($61,300)

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers / 82.57% / 36.28% / ($61,270)

Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers / 84.35% / 40.06% / ($61,240)

First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers / 93.54% / 46.15% / ($61,210)

Paralegals and Legal Assistants / 43.47% / 34.43% / ($60,970)

Surgical Technologists / 100.00% / 57.33% / ($60,610)

Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity / 99.99% / 67.21% / ($60,170)

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses / 88.91% / 58.54% / ($59,730)

Brickmasons and Blockmasons / 99.99% / 37.22% / ($59,640)

Postal Service Clerks / 100.00% / 56.00% / ($59,570)

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators / 64.62% / 42.16% / ($59,300)

Computer User Support Specialists / 48.31% / 32.44% / ($59,240)

Insurance Sales Agents / 53.10% / 72.73% / ($59,080)

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors / 81.54% / 30.91% / ($58,920)

Sheet Metal Workers / 100.01% / 62.55% / ($58,780)

Hearing Aid Specialists / 43.26% / 42.87% / ($58,670)

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders / 98.23% / 50.55% / ($58,620)

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents / 62.46% / 38.40% / ($58,530)

Quality Control Analysts / 72.10% / 71.31% / ($58,350)

Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas / 99.99% / 53.72% / ($58,210)

Firefighters / 96.50% / 63.76% / ($57,120)

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers / 100.00% / 81.33% / ($57,070)

Biofuels Processing Technicians / 100.00% / 71.47% / ($56,940)

Chemical Technicians / 56.26% / 47.59% / ($56,750)

Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas / 99.99% / 54.34% / ($56,660)

Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers / 100.00% / 41.35% / ($56,430)

Postal Service Mail Carriers / 100.00% / 98.83% / ($56,330)

Riggers / 100.00% / 64.67% / ($56,220)

Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas / 100.00% / 53.07% / ($55,750)

Massage Therapists / 96.16% / 92.30% / ($55,310)

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators / 100.00% / 54.17% / ($54,890)

Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers / 100.00% / 52.98% / ($54,850)

Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers / 82.35% / 45.13% / ($54,690)

First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers / 88.58% / 46.75% / ($54,580)

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers / 99.99% / 38.91% / ($54,320)

Real Estate Sales Agents / 90.47% / 80.95% / ($54,300)

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare / 83.48% / 33.51% / ($54,290)

Tire Builders / 99.47% / 76.18% / ($54,080)

Insulation Workers, Mechanical / 100.01% / 89.76% / ($53,920)

Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks / 100.01% / 46.62% / ($53,900)

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers / 86.60% / 52.66% / ($53,550)

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators / 100.01% / 94.65% / ($53,440)

Correctional Officers and Jailers / 100.00% / 77.83% / ($53,300)

Fallers / 100.00% / 44.59% / ($53,170)

Bailiffs / 99.99% / 61.67% / ($53,040)

Plasterers and Stucco Masons / 100.00% / 58.97% / ($52,640)

Costume Attendants / 68.86% / 51.62% / ($52,370)

Forest and Conservation Technicians / 85.19% / 50.94% / ($51,880)

Desktop Publishers / 61.30% / 45.93% / ($51,290)

Airfield Operations Specialists / 49.14% / 50.32% / ($51,140)

Glaziers / 100.01% / 55.76% / ($51,100)

Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers / 88.76% / 81.80% / ($51,030)

Machinists / 100.00% / 38.18% / ($50,840)

Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers / 99.99% / 76.91% / ($50,720)

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health / 31.83% / 68.18% / ($50,660)

Dredge Operators / 100.00% / 46.67% / ($50,440)

Engine and Other Machine Assemblers / 92.80% / 59.42% / ($50,270)

Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs / 68.62% / 43.38% / ($50,270)

Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 81.40% / ($50,250)

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining / 100.00% / 51.60% / ($50,050)

Roofers / 93.40% / 50.59% / ($50,030)

Transportation Security Screeners / 100.00% / 96.29% / ($50,020)

Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians / 100.00% / 40.17% / ($49,990)

Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic / 99.88% / 51.19% / ($49,670)

Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers / 100.01% / 39.94% / ($49,230)

Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians / 100.00% / 46.96% / ($49,210)

Bridge and Lock Tenders / 100.00% / 65.00% / ($49,120)

Food Science Technicians / 52.50% / 67.10% / ($49,090)

Tree Trimmers and Pruners / 100.00% / 39.55% / ($49,070)

Tax Preparers / 76.20% / 47.61% / ($49,010)

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers / 99.05% / 39.51% / ($48,940)

Tile and Stone Setters / 100.00% / 50.34% / ($48,910)

Terrazzo Workers and Finishers / 100.01% / 63.18% / ($48,900)

Public Safety Telecommunicators / 95.26% / 68.18% / ($48,890)

Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles / 99.99% / 52.68% / ($48,840)

Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters / 95.84% / 52.32% / ($48,840)

Proofreaders and Copy Markers / 52.69% / 47.90% / ($48,790)

Automotive Body and Related Repairers / 99.99% / 70.29% / ($48,740)

Pourers and Casters, Metal / 100.00% / 83.26% / ($48,690)

Mechanical Door Repairers / 100.00% / 69.74% / ($48,650)

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators / 96.78% / 49.34% / ($48,550)

Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters / 100.00% / 65.72% / ($48,480)

Paperhangers / 100.00% / 49.80% / ($48,460)

Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons / 100.00% / 88.40% / ($48,410)

Sailors and Marine Oilers / 99.22% / 77.61% / ($48,400)

Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers / 94.78% / 45.81% / ($48,380)

Locksmiths and Safe Repairers / 92.30% / 50.00% / ($48,380)

Cargo and Freight Agents / 69.25% / 74.53% / ($48,330)

Logging Equipment Operators / 100.00% / 75.24% / ($48,240)

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 98.92% / 65.45% / ($48,120)

Agricultural Inspectors / 87.88% / 45.67% / ($48,010)

Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians / 100.00% / 48.27% / ($47,950)

Floor Sanders and Finishers / 100.00% / 30.71% / ($47,760)

Meter Readers, Utilities / 97.61% / 65.98% / ($47,720)

Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping / 65.40% / 30.88% / ($47,710)

Painters, Construction and Maintenance / 98.15% / 48.09% / ($47,700)

Dental Laboratory Technicians / 92.45% / 35.15% / ($47,690)

Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall / 100.00% / 81.05% / ($47,540)

Animal Breeders / 95.94% / 47.64% / ($47,540)

Carpet Installers / 100.00% / 31.43% / ($47,520)

Neurodiagnostic Technologists / 83.87% / 48.40% / ($47,470)

Patient Representatives / 61.52% / 43.37% / ($47,470)

Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers / 84.34% / 32.98% / ($47,450)

Gem and Diamond Workers / 80.99% / 47.06% / ($47,450)

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks / 81.29% / 32.20% / ($47,440)

Models / 96.06% / 96.07% / ($47,430)

Travel Agents / 85.65% / 31.99% / ($47,410)

Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance / 85.70% / 45.00% / ($47,390)

Loan Interviewers and Clerks / 61.75% / 36.81% / ($47,380)

Highway Maintenance Workers / 100.00% / 58.12% / ($47,360)

Pipelayers / 100.00% / 43.07% / ($47,330)

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers / 86.23% / 50.66% / ($47,280)

Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.01% / 82.14% / ($47,250)

Home Appliance Repairers / 100.01% / 55.34% / ($47,170)

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 90.27% / 50.57% / ($47,110)

Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 62.67% / ($47,040)

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 69.40% / ($46,990)

Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners / 99.99% / 69.64% / ($46,910)

Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks / 93.41% / 36.31% / ($46,900)

Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance / 92.98% / 44.53% / ($46,860)

Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers / 92.91% / 31.80% / ($46,850)

Parking Enforcement Workers / 98.56% / 96.81% / ($46,840)

First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers / 99.58% / 37.01% / ($46,730)

First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers / 87.75% / 44.39% / ($46,650)

Dental Assistants / 100.00% / 61.45% / ($46,540)

Rock Splitters, Quarry / 81.02% / 87.71% / ($46,530)

Geothermal Technicians / 100.00% / 47.90% / ($46,500)

Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors / 61.91% / 52.38% / ($46,480)

Word Processors and Typists / 100.00% / 52.51% / ($46,450)

Motorboat Operators / 85.14% / 45.12% / ($46,420)

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners / 100.01% / 61.51% / ($46,410)

Roustabouts, Oil and Gas / 100.00% / 43.99% / ($46,340)

Court, Municipal, and License Clerks / 85.74% / 37.43% / ($46,110)

Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 92.48% / ($46,100)

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers / 100.00% / 58.28% / ($45,850)

Semiconductor Processing Technicians / 99.68% / 76.98% / ($45,850)

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors / 100.00% / 40.92% / ($45,760)

Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers / 99.63% / 30.05% / ($45,760)

Farm Labor Contractors / 99.87% / 47.64% / ($45,730)

Bus Drivers, School / 100.00% / 90.59% / ($45,660)

Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders / 98.16% / 65.88% / ($45,640)

Log Graders and Scalers / 100.00% / 49.41% / ($45,600)

Billing and Posting Clerks / 98.04% / 34.59% / ($45,590)

Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 67.28% / ($45,560)

Helpers--Extraction Workers / 100.01% / 89.58% / ($45,520)

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 70.42% / ($45,350)

Self-Enrichment Teachers / 45.76% / 33.67% / ($45,330)

Construction Laborers / 100.00% / 83.68% / ($45,300)

Medical Equipment Preparers / 82.92% / 43.14% / ($45,280)

Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers / 100.00% / 72.61% / ($44,980)

Medical Appliance Technicians / 72.03% / 43.86% / ($44,960)

Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers / 99.99% / 93.70% / ($44,890)

Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys / 59.63% / 40.27% / ($44,890)

New Accounts Clerks / 100.00% / 58.40% / ($44,630)

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 92.88% / 48.80% / ($44,620)

Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 62.22% / ($44,510)

Endoscopy Technicians / 100.01% / 73.08% / ($44,490)

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants / 57.73% / 85.80% / ($44,490)

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators / 100.00% / 51.68% / ($44,470)

Fence Erectors / 99.99% / 88.21% / ($44,410)

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 99.55% / 92.73% / ($44,390)

Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 99.70% / 84.76% / ($44,310)

Foundry Mold and Coremakers / 100.00% / 83.14% / ($44,300)

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive / 89.01% / 43.85% / ($44,280)

Bill and Account Collectors / 78.88% / 52.69% / ($44,250)

Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 99.79% / ($44,240)

Opticians, Dispensing / 100.00% / 50.00% / ($44,170)

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics / 100.00% / 33.69% / ($44,140)

Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation / 87.18% / 80.53% / ($44,070)

Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers / 100.00% / 67.03% / ($44,030)

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians / 89.60% / 70.52% / ($43,740)

Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders / 99.99% / 80.47% / ($43,540)

Pest Control Workers / 100.00% / 92.46% / ($43,470)

Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers / 100.01% / 40.93% / ($43,310)

Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing / 99.03% / 48.34% / ($43,310)

Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping / 99.49% / 87.75% / ($43,270)

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters / 100.00% / 35.91% / ($43,260)

Skincare Specialists / 78.15% / 70.98% / ($43,200)

Agricultural Technicians / 63.19% / 40.58% / ($43,180)

Precision Agriculture Technicians / 60.87% / 43.48% / ($43,180)

Animal Control Workers / 96.15% / 42.31% / ($43,170)

Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners / 90.92% / 36.37% / ($42,800)

Upholsterers / 100.00% / 31.96% / ($42,730)

Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 96.10% / 50.94% / ($42,670)

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.01% / 61.62% / ($42,610)

Cooks, Private Household / 100.00% / 42.31% / ($42,590)

Light Truck Drivers / 100.00% / 99.31% / ($42,470)

Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters / 93.77% / 65.96% / ($42,470)

Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 51.07% / ($42,420)

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 36.13% / ($42,400)

Medical Assistants / 82.53% / 81.37% / ($42,000)

Printing Press Operators / 100.00% / 40.17% / ($41,860)

Phlebotomists / 95.46% / 54.55% / ($41,810)

Ophthalmic Medical Technicians / 100.00% / 45.45% / ($41,780)

Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 63.96% / ($41,600)

Social and Human Service Assistants / 44.61% / 60.58% / ($41,410)

Photographers / 81.82% / 36.37% / ($40,760)

Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks / 99.42% / 76.21% / ($40,610)

Office Clerks, General / 99.76% / 47.07% / ($40,480)

Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan / 98.84% / 34.25% / ($40,300)

Pharmacy Technicians / 96.16% / 80.98% / ($40,300)

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers / 100.00% / 97.14% / ($40,230)

Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators / 99.36% / 83.68% / ($40,200)

Etchers and Engravers / 99.99% / 41.69% / ($40,040)

Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 65.83% / ($39,850)

Furniture Finishers / 100.00% / 45.95% / ($39,790)

Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks / 89.25% / 85.10% / ($39,780)

Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 96.57% / 85.26% / ($39,740)

Psychiatric Technicians / 68.09% / 75.29% / ($39,700)

Agricultural Equipment Operators / 99.99% / 61.03% / ($39,690)

Customer Service Representatives / 85.79% / 48.94% / ($39,680)

Tutors / 54.54% / 72.73% / ($39,580)

Helpers--Carpenters / 100.00% / 94.63% / ($39,380)

Retail Loss Prevention Specialists / 89.50% / 61.98% / ($39,360)

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders / 100.01% / 70.21% / ($39,340)

Library Technicians / 68.58% / 66.51% / ($39,310)

Conveyor Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 94.70% / ($39,260)

Machine Feeders and Offbearers / 100.00% / 73.86% / ($39,250)

Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators / 100.00% / 80.06% / ($39,210)

Psychiatric Aides / 95.92% / 72.31% / ($39,160)

Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers / 100.00% / 77.97% / ($38,980)

Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand / 100.00% / 64.30% / ($38,940)

Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic / 100.00% / 57.82% / ($38,870)

Animal Trainers / 98.25% / 44.20% / ($38,810)

Helpers--Roofers / 83.98% / 61.91% / ($38,620)

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 72.87% / ($38,550)

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers / 100.00% / 65.46% / ($38,520)

Food Batchmakers / 99.99% / 83.20% / ($38,460)

Helpers--Electricians / 98.70% / 58.74% / ($38,340)

Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 78.21% / ($38,330)

Bicycle Repairers / 100.00% / 49.78% / ($38,320)

Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing / 98.28% / 68.80% / ($38,260)

Nursing Assistants / 87.36% / 81.52% / ($38,200)

Slaughterers and Meat Packers / 100.00% / 60.24% / ($38,160)

File Clerks / 91.72% / 39.40% / ($38,130)

Print Binding and Finishing Workers / 100.01% / 42.89% / ($38,100)

Telephone Operators / 100.00% / 45.37% / ($38,080)

Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood / 100.00% / 70.09% / ($38,000)

Residential Advisors / 59.02% / 65.91% / ($37,950)

Data Entry Keyers / 100.00% / 48.23% / ($37,790)

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians / 91.17% / 67.45% / ($37,720)

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand / 100.00% / 68.49% / ($37,660)

Recycling and Reclamation Workers / 91.99% / 97.72% / ($37,660)

Butchers and Meat Cutters / 100.00% / 32.98% / ($37,650)

Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters / 90.30% / 60.09% / ($37,650)

Tellers / 91.68% / 92.13% / ($37,640)

Office Machine Operators, Except Computer / 82.57% / 57.68% / ($37,450)

Counter and Rental Clerks / 79.75% / 74.93% / ($37,400)

Substitute Teachers, Short-Term / 55.21% / 66.44% / ($37,380)

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers / 81.67% / 52.64% / ($37,360)

Concierges / 90.91% / 63.65% / ($37,150)

Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 76.39% / ($37,130)

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education / 62.81% / 50.90% / ($37,130)

Security Guards / 98.04% / 80.52% / ($37,070)

Medical Transcriptionists / 100.00% / 66.02% / ($37,060)

Cutters and Trimmers, Hand / 100.00% / 58.19% / ($37,040)

Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons / 100.00% / 60.78% / ($37,010)

Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.00% / 80.85% / ($36,970)

Demonstrators and Product Promoters / 99.34% / 99.34% / ($36,970)

Occupational Therapy Aides / 98.20% / 75.70% / ($36,970)

Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service / 100.00% / 96.52% / ($36,880)

Parts Salespersons / 86.38% / 35.11% / ($36,860)

Orderlies / 100.00% / 84.96% / ($36,830)

Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service / 96.96% / 60.95% / ($36,750)

Couriers and Messengers / 100.00% / 83.57% / ($36,710)

Helpers--Production Workers / 100.00% / 85.58% / ($36,700)

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers / 90.54% / 56.27% / ($36,650)

Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 74.10% / ($36,620)

Craft Artists / 86.96% / 34.79% / ($36,600)

Dietetic Technicians / 93.29% / 45.65% / ($36,520)

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers / 99.54% / 78.62% / ($36,440)

Stockers and Order Fillers / 99.71% / 85.41% / ($36,390)

Crossing Guards and Flaggers / 100.00% / 90.24% / ($36,370)

Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers / 98.70% / 95.45% / ($36,300)

Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers / 82.36% / 65.27% / ($36,230)

Pharmacy Aides / 100.00% / 79.83% / ($36,200)

Barbers / 97.06% / 74.52% / ($36,150)

Gambling Cage Workers / 100.00% / 57.48% / ($36,110)

Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers / 100.00% / 98.78% / ($36,020)

Receptionists and Information Clerks / 100.00% / 47.01% / ($35,840)

Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials / 80.95% / 57.14% / ($35,820)

Tire Repairers and Changers / 97.60% / 80.02% / ($35,790)

Cooks, Restaurant / 99.99% / 83.35% / ($35,780)

Passenger Attendants / 100.01% / 76.63% / ($35,620)

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators / 94.81% / 66.47% / ($35,620)

Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders / 100.00% / 99.60% / ($35,530)

Driver/Sales Workers / 100.00% / 91.91% / ($35,420)

Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders / 100.01% / 93.56% / ($35,340)

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria / 93.22% / 64.36% / ($35,320)

Motion Picture Projectionists / 89.90% / 90.17% / ($35,160)

Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals / 99.77% / 54.31% / ($35,120)

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners / 75.92% / 78.11% / ($35,020)

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists / 100.00% / 60.71% / ($34,970)

Bakers / 100.00% / 78.42% / ($34,950)

Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers / 100.00% / 95.83% / ($34,910)

Baggage Porters and Bellhops / 100.01% / 80.60% / ($34,840)

Packers and Packagers, Hand / 100.00% / 99.39% / ($34,830)

Floral Designers / 92.09% / 49.74% / ($34,690)

Telemarketers / 100.00% / 78.19% / ($34,480)

Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse / 75.14% / 71.76% / ($34,470)

Sewing Machine Operators / 99.99% / 58.36% / ($34,440)

Recreation Workers / 37.90% / 40.14% / ($34,410)

Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products / 100.00% / 87.28% / ($34,360)

Manicurists and Pedicurists / 100.00% / 83.60% / ($34,250)

Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment / 99.99% / 82.18% / ($34,150)

Cooks, Short Order / 100.01% / 81.36% / ($34,130)

Library Assistants, Clerical / 95.43% / 72.18% / ($34,020)

Forest and Conservation Workers / 57.20% / 41.32% / ($33,940)

Funeral Attendants / 88.97% / 69.50% / ($33,850)

Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants / 100.00% / 62.92% / ($33,820)

Retail Salespersons / 96.00% / 75.39% / ($33,680)

Physical Therapist Aides / 81.30% / 72.78% / ($33,520)

Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants / 100.01% / 94.39% / ($33,450)

Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners / 89.15% / 79.59% / ($33,450)

Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers / 100.00% / 84.76% / ($33,230)

Food Servers, Nonrestaurant / 87.18% / 78.54% / ($33,110)

Parking Attendants / 99.04% / 97.27% / ($32,840)

Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians / 99.99% / 95.80% / ($32,580)

Food Preparation Workers / 95.85% / 88.15% / ($32,420)

Gambling Dealers / 100.00% / 62.42% / ($32,240)

Sewers, Hand / 99.48% / 60.39% / ($32,240)

Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials / 85.85% / 36.62% / ($32,240)

Waiters and Waitresses / 100.00% / 98.56% / ($31,940)

Bartenders / 98.88% / 57.35% / ($31,510)

Dishwashers / 100.00% / 100.00% / ($31,200)

Animal Caretakers / 86.63% / 65.83% / ($31,200)

Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers / 100.00% / 93.53% / ($31,180)

Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers / 100.00% / 95.07% / ($31,050)

Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks / 95.41% / 84.96% / ($30,790)

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers / 98.78% / 76.80% / ($30,380)

Childcare Workers / 91.29% / 49.53% / ($30,370)

Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers / 98.34% / 88.28% / ($29,780)

Cashiers / 100.00% / 72.87% / ($29,720)

Fast Food and Counter Workers / 99.96% / 80.65% / ($29,540)

Baristas / 94.53% / 100.00% / ($29,540)

Shampooers / 100.00% / 93.40% / ($29,530)

Amusement and Recreation Attendants / 98.57% / 94.63% / ($29,390)

Cooks, Fast Food / 100.00% / 95.58% / ($29,260)

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop / 86.88% / 85.05% / ($29,220)

Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners / 100.01% / 72.38% / ($29,170)

Dancers / 100.01% / 62.06% / (Salary Not Available)

Actors / 65.47% / 62.11% / (Salary Not Available)

Musicians and Singers / 40.26% / 34.04% / (Salary Not Available)

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Job Listings for: Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career

Prepare for the "Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Description: 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.

U.S. Total Employment (2023): 23,700	U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.): 22,700
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.): -1,000 (-4.4%)	Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.): 2,200

Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Clean work area.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
Importance: 99 (%)	Description: Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
Importance: 98 (%)	Description: Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met.
Importance: 95 (%)	Description: Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
Importance: 94 (%)	Description: Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
Importance: 94 (%)	Description: Program computer numerical control machines.
Importance: 94 (%)	Description: Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.
Importance: 94 (%)	Description: Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools.
Importance: 94 (%)	Description: Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines.
Importance: 93 (%)	Description: Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments.
Importance: 93 (%)	Description: Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
Importance: 90 (%)	Description: Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.
Importance: 90 (%)	Description: Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.
Importance: 85 (%)	Description: Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.
Importance: 85 (%)	Description: Turn valve handles to direct the flow of coolant onto work areas or to coat disks with spinning compounds.
Importance: 84 (%)	Description: Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
Importance: 78 (%)	Description: Mount attachments, such as relieving or tracing attachments, to perform operations, such as duplicating contours of templates or trimming workpieces.

Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 85 (%)	Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 83 (%)	Description: Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Importance: 82 (%)	Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 81 (%)	Description: Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Importance: 81 (%)	Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 80 (%)	Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 78 (%)	Description: Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Importance: 77 (%)	Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 76 (%)	Description: Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
Importance: 75 (%)	Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Importance: 75 (%)	Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 72 (%)	Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 71 (%)	Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Importance: 71 (%)	Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 71 (%)	Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 70 (%)	Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 70 (%)	Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 70 (%)	Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Importance: 69 (%)	Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 69 (%)	Description: Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Importance: 68 (%)	Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 68 (%)	Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Importance: 68 (%)	Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 67 (%)	Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Importance: 66 (%)	Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 63 (%)	Description: Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
Importance: 63 (%)	Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 63 (%)	Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 62 (%)	Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 62 (%)	Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 60 (%)	Description: Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow.
Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment.
Clean work areas.
Conduct test runs of production equipment.
Feed materials or products into or through equipment.
Install mechanical components in production equipment.
Lift materials or workpieces using cranes or other lifting equipment.
Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed.
Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Operate cutting equipment.
Operate grinding equipment.
Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
Perform basic equipment maintenance.
Program equipment to perform production tasks.
Program robotic equipment.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Replace worn equipment components.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Select production equipment according to product specifications.
Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications.
Sharpen cutting or grinding tools.

Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 78 (%)	Description: Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Importance: 71 (%)	Description: Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Importance: 71 (%)	Description: Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Importance: 65 (%)	Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 62 (%)	Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 62 (%)	Description: Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance) These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 58 (%)	Description: Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Importance: 56 (%)	Description: Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?

Activity: Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performance.

Activity: Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areas.

Activity: Maintain facilities or equipment.

Activity: Maintain tools or equipment.

Activity: Measure physical characteristics of materials, products, or equipment.

Activity: Monitor equipment operation.

Activity: Operate cutting or grinding equipment.

Activity: Operate industrial processing or production equipment.

Activity: Operate lifting or moving equipment.

Activity: Position workpieces or materials on equipment.

Activity: Program computer systems or production equipment.

Activity: Read documents or materials to inform work processes.

Activity: Repair tools or equipment.

Activity: Select materials or equipment for operations or projects.

Activity: Set up equipment.

Activity: Test performance of equipment or systems.

Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?

General Software Tools

Industrial control software:

Autodesk HSMWorks
Computer numerical control CNC editor software

Inventory management software:

Inventory tracking software

Object or component oriented development software:

G-code
M-code

Preparation Required

Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

These occupations involve following instructions and often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include dishwashers, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, counter and rental clerks, dental laboratory technicians, and security guards.

Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%)	Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 31.6 (%)	Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Frequency of Attainment: 28.9 (%)	Level of Education: Some College Courses
Frequency of Attainment: 18.2 (%)	Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Frequency of Attainment: 11.6 (%)	Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Frequency of Attainment: 9.6 (%)	Level of Education: First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.
Frequency of Attainment: 0.1 (%)	Level of Education: Post-Doctoral Training

Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 19.4 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 18.2 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Frequency of Attainment: 12.6 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 10.2 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 9.7 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 9.6 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Frequency of Attainment: 9.6 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Frequency of Attainment: 9.6 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years
Frequency of Attainment: 1.1 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years

Local Salary Information

Select a State (scroll and Select) :

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Please select a State to see State and National Salaries

Certifications

Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them?

CAM Turning I
CNC Lathe Operations
Machining Level I - Milling
Machining Level I - CNC Lathe Programming Setup & Operations
Machining Level I - Manual Turning Between Centers
Machining Level I - Measurement, Materials and Safety Job
Machining Level I - Turning I (Chucking Skills)
Machining Level II - CNC Turning Skills II
Screw Machining Level III - Set Up & Operate with Multiple Spindles III

Job Listings

Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Automatic Screwmaker

Automatic Spinning Lathe Operator

Automatic Spinning Lathe Setter

Axle Turner

Back Facer

Balance Recesser

Balance Wheel Facer

Bar Pointer

Bar Turner

Brake Drum Lathe Operator

Bullard Machine Operator

Bullard Operator

Chaser

Chucker

Chucker Operator

Chucking Machine Setup Operator

CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator)

CNC Setup Operator (Computer Numerical Control Setup Operator)

CNC Turning Machine Operator (Computer Numerical Control Turning Machine Operator)

CNC Turning Operator (Computer Numerical Control Turning Operator)

Concaver

Cup Trimming Machine Operator

Deburrer

Dial Lathe Operator

Engine Lathe Operator

Engine Lathe Setup Operator

Engine Lathe Setup Tool Operator

Facing Machine Operator

Fittings Finisher

Fountain Pen Turner

Gear Cutter

Gear Cutting Machine Operator

Gear Cutting Machine Setup Operator

Gear Generator Setup Operator

Gear Hobber

Gear Hobber Operator

Gear Hobber Setup Operator

Gear Machine Operator

Gear Setter

Gear Shaper

Gear Shaver Setup Operator

Grooving Lathe Tender

Hobber

Hobbing Machine Operator

Hobbing Press Operator

Hydraulic Spinner

Hydrotel Operator

Jewel Bearing Broacher

Jewel Lathe Operator

Knurling Machine Operator

Lap Cutter Truer Operator

Lathe Hand

Lathe Machine Operator

Lathe Operator

Lathe Scalper Operator

Manual Lathe Operator

Manufacturing Associate

Manufacturing Operator

Multiple Spindle Screw Machine Operator

Multiple Spindle Screw Machine Setup Operator

Nipple Machine Operator

Nipple Threader

Numerical Control Operator (NC Operator)

Nut Tapper

Nut Threader

Optical Lathe Operator

Pipe Threader

Planer

Planer Hand

Planer Operator

Press Setup Person

Radial Router Operator

Rim Turning Finisher

Rim Turning Machine Operator

Ring Cutter Lathe Operator

Roll Turner

Routing Machine Operator

Rubber Turner

Screw Machine Hand

Screw Machine Operator

Screw Machine Setter

Screw Machine Setup Operator

Screw Machine Tender

Screw Machine Tool Setter

Setup Operator

Single Spindle Screw Machine Operator

Single Spindle Screw Machine Setup Operator

Small Lot Operator

Spar Cap Beveler

Spinner

Spinning Lathe Operator

Swiss Type Screw Machine Operator

Swiss Type Screw Machine Setup Operator

Threader

Threading Machine Operator

Threading Machine Setter

Tool Lathe Operator

Tool Setter

Tool Turret Lathe Setup Operator

Tumble Tailstock Turret Lathe Operator

Turn Operator

Turning Machine Operator

Turret Lathe Operator

Turret Lathe Setup Operator

V-Groove Cutter

Vertical Lathe Operator

Vertical Multiple Spindle Chucking Machine Setup Operator

Winding Lathe Operator

Related Careers to Consider

Related Careers to Consider This lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to what "Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic" do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit. How do these related occupations align with your interests, skills, and goals?
1 - Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
2 - Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
3 - Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
4 - Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
5 - Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
6 - Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
7 - Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
8 - Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
9 - Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
10 - Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
11 - Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
12 - Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators
13 - Machinists
14 - Tool and Die Makers
15 - Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
16 - Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
17 - Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
18 - Industrial Machinery Mechanics
19 - Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
20 - Machine Feeders and Offbearers

Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)

This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.

Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.

Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.

Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.

Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.

Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.

Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic". Use these links to find a job.

Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic". Use these links to find a job.

Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.

Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...

LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.

Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic" occupation.