Occupation salary profile

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

SOC 51-4035 BLS OEWS May 2025

Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

National median · BLS
$52,800
▲ +9.29% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$56,740
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
12,460
Jobs (BLS)
Highest-paying state (cost-adjusted) Loading…
Most jobs Loading…
Highest-paying metro (cost-adjusted) Loading…

Check your salary

Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.

Pay range for Milling and Planing Machine 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$37,840
25th$45,210
Median (50th)$52,800
75th$64,900
90th — top pay$81,030

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

Type in either box; the other updates instantly.

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

Job outlook for Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

BLS projects employment of milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic to decline 13.2% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%. About 1,000 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
12,400 → 10,800
-1,600 jobs
Projected change
-13.2%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
1,000
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 Milling and Planing Machine 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 Monitoring3.9
  • Operation and Control3.4
  • Critical Thinking3.1
  • Monitoring3.1
  • Active Listening3.0
  • Quality Control Analysis2.9
  • Reading Comprehension2.9
  • Speaking2.9
  • Complex Problem Solving2.8
  • Coordination2.8
Top knowledge areas
  • Mechanical3.7
  • Production and Processing3.6
  • English Language3.5
  • Mathematics3.5
  • Computers and Electronics3.2
  • Education and Training3.0
  • Design3.0
  • Engineering and Technology2.9
Software and technology used
Autodesk AutoCADExtensible markup language XMLMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordEditCNCG-codeKentech machine shop softwareM-codeMastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing softwareSiemens Solid EdgeSmartCAMcnc SmartCAMSWIVEL SoftwareVero Software ALPHACAMVero Software Edgecam

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 milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do

  • Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
  • Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
  • Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
  • Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
  • Select and install cutting tools and other accessories according to specifications, using hand tools or power tools.
  • Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
  • Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders.
  • Study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations.
Also called
CNC Licensed Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Licensed Mill Operator)CNC Mill Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Operator)Machine OperatorMill OperatorCNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator)CNC Mill Set Up Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Set Up Operator)Machine Set Up OperatorMillerMilling OperatorSetup Man
More job titles for this occupation (62)
Barrel Rib Matting Machine OperatorBarrel RiflerBoring Mill OperatorBroacherBroaching Machine OperatorBroaching Machine Set Up OperatorCNC Milling Operator (Computer Numerical Control Milling Operator)Escape Wheel Tooth CutterFeed Mill OperatorFile CutterGear Milling Machine Set Up OperatorGear RollerGrind OperatorGrinder OperatorHooking Machine OperatorKeyseater OperatorKeyseating Machine Set Up OperatorLever MillerMachine Shop Pantograph Machine OperatorMagnesium Mill OperatorManual Mill OperatorManufacturing OperatorMetal Milling Machine OperatorMetal Rotary Head Milling Machine Setup OperatorMilling and Planing Machine Operator and TenderMilling Machine OperatorMilling Machine Setup OperatorMilling Machine TenderOperatorPantograph Machine Setup OperatorPlaner Setup OperatorPlaner Type Milling Machine Setup OperatorPlaning Machine OperatorPlastic Thread Milling Machine Setup OperatorPrinted Circuit Boards Beveler (PCB Beveler)Printed Circuit Boards Router (PCB Router)Production Broaching Machine OperatorProfilerProfiler OperatorProfiling Machine OperatorProfiling Machine Setup OperatorRolling Mill OperatorRotary Head Milling Machine Setup OperatorRouter Machine OperatorRouter OperatorScalperScalper OperatorScalping Machine OperatorScribing Machine OperatorShaper OperatorShaper Setup OperatorShaping Machine OperatorShift OperatorSquaring Machine OperatorSteel Wool Machine OperatorThread Milling Machine Set Up OperatorTire Mold EngraverTool Planer Setup OperatorTool Profiling Machine Setup OperatorTool Shaper Setup OperatorTooth CutterWheel Cutter

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.