Occupations/51-4031.00
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Usually a high school diploma, plus some experience or short training.
AI automation risk
84%
Higher automation risk
Human characteristics
17%
Fewer uniquely human demands
Task orientation
85%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
- Mostly routine
Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
- Mostly routine
Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
- 02Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
- 03Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
- 04Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
- 05Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
- 06Test and adjust machine speeds or actions, according to product specifications, using gauges and hand tools.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks4.13
- Degree of automation2.42
- Time sitting2.57
- Originality (ability)2.00
- Conflict situations3.03
- Hands-on objects/tools4.62
- Outdoors / weather1.42
- Disease exposure1.23
- Decision freedom2.36
Top abilities
- Near Vision3.75
- Control Precision3.75
- Arm-Hand Steadiness3.75
- Reaction Time3.25
- Manual Dexterity3.25
- Information Ordering3.25
- Selective Attention3.12
- Written Comprehension3.00
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension2.75
- Active Listening3.00
- Writing2.50
- Speaking3.00
- Mathematics2.00
- Science1.50
- Critical Thinking3.00
- Active Learning2.75
- Learning Strategies2.00
- Monitoring3.00
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
11 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN · Public | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist 48.0501 | $5,900 | 100% | 28% | 1 yr $54,035 2 yr $55,512 Associate · CIP 48.05 |
Saint Paul College St. Paul, MN · Public | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist 48.0501 | $6,100 | 100% | 29% | 1 yr $40,551 2 yr $42,363 Certificate · CIP 48.05 |
Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MN · Public | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist 48.0501 | $9,800 | 71% | 61% | 1 yr $38,289 2 yr $34,704 Certificate · CIP 48.05 |
Century College White Bear Lake, MN · Public | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist 48.0501 | $6,000 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr $35,594 2 yr $34,704 Certificate · CIP 48.05 |
University of Minnesota-Rochester Rochester, MN · Public | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist 48.0501 | $14,200 | 72% | 73% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 48.05 |
Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids, MN · Public | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist 48.0501 | $5,800 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 48.05 |
Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MN · Public | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist 48.0501 | $6,200 | 100% | 38% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Miami Dade College Miami, FL · Public | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist 48.0501 | $2,900 | 100% | 41% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 48.05 |
Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA · Public | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist 48.0501 | $5,700 | 100% | 35% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 48.05 |
Anoka Technical College Anoka, MN · Public | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist 48.0501 | $6,300 | 100% | 48% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Macomb Community College Warren, MI · Public | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist 48.0501 | $4,200 | 100% | 22% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |