Career overview

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

O*NET-SOC 51-4021.00

Median pay / yr$46,980

OutlookBelow Average

Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.

What it takes

The skills, knowledge, and credentials employers look for in Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.

Operations MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.