Occupation salary profile

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

SOC 51-4032 BLS OEWS May 2025

Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.

National median · BLS
$49,080
▲ +5.25% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$51,810
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
4,680
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$36,300
25th$41,710
Median (50th)$49,080
75th$57,940
90th — top pay$68,410

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Monthly—
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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

BLS projects employment of drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic to decline 9.5% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%. About 400 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
4,700 → 4,200
-400 jobs
Projected change
-9.5%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
400
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Fastest-declining jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a high school diploma →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Operations Monitoring3.6
  • Monitoring3.1
  • Operation and Control3.1
  • Reading Comprehension3.1
  • Active Listening3.0
  • Complex Problem Solving3.0
  • Critical Thinking3.0
  • Judgment and Decision Making3.0
  • Speaking3.0
  • Time Management3.0
Top knowledge areas
  • Mathematics4.4
  • Production and Processing4.4
  • Mechanical4.3
  • English Language4.0
  • Engineering and Technology3.5
  • Education and Training3.3
  • Design3.3
  • Administration and Management3.0
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft WordSAP softwareAutomated inventory softwareComputerized numerical control CNC software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do

  • Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.
  • Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
  • Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.
  • Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.
  • Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.
  • Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.
  • Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.
  • Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices.
Also called
CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist)Drill OperatorDrill Setup OperatorMachine OperatorBore Mill OperatorCNC Drilling Operator (Computer Numerical Control Drilling Operator)Drill Press OperatorPunch OperatorRadial Drill OperatorSetup Mill Operator
More job titles for this occupation (79)
Automatic Driller and ReamerAutomatic Drilling Machine OperatorBarrel DrillerBillet DrillerBorematic Machine OperatorBorematic OperatorBorerBoring Machine OperatorBoring Machine Setup OperatorBoring Mill OperatorBoring Mill Setup OperatorBroacherChamfering Machine OperatorChoke ReamerCollet DrillerCountersinkerDice MakerDirectional Bore OperatorDirectional Drill OperatorDirectional DrillerDrill Press Setup OperatorDrill Press TenderDrill PresserDrill Punch OperatorDrillerDrilling OperatorFixed Route OperatorFoot Drill OperatorGang Drill OperatorHorizontal Boring Mill OperatorHorizontal Boring Mill Setup OperatorHub BorerJewel Cupping Machine OperatorJig Bore OperatorJig Boring Machine Setup OperatorJig Mill OperatorJiggerJigger OperatorManufacturing AssociateManufacturing OperatorMetal Boring Mill OperatorMetal Drill OperatorMetal Drill Press OperatorMetal Drilling Machine OperatorMetal Horizontal Boring Mill OperatorMobile Equipment OperatorMultiple Drill OperatorMultiple Spindle Drill Press Setup OperatorPlastic Bore Mill OperatorPlastic Boring Mill OperatorPlastic Radial Drill OperatorPlastic Radial Drill Press OperatorPlastic Reaming Machine OperatorPlate DrillerPress Machine OperatorPrinted Circuit Boards Drill Press Operator (PCB Drill Press Operator)Printed Circuit Boards Pinner (PCB Pinner)Production Boring Machine OperatorPunch Press OperatorRadial Drill Press OperatorRadial Drill Press Setup OperatorReamerReaming Machine OperatorReaming Machine TenderReaming Press OperatorRecentererSet Up Technician (Set Up Tech)Setup TechnicianSingle Spindle Drill Press Setup OperatorSpot FacerStab Setter and DrillerTapperTapper OperatorTest BorerTool Radial Drill Press Setup OperatorTrade MarkerValve Seater OperatorVertical Boring Mill OperatorWheel Borer

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.