Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
51
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is a notable career in the 51 category. This page provides verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024), helping you compare Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic against similar careers and make data-driven decisions.
Live DataLast updated: ·Source: BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
onet code
51-4032.00
description
Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.
job zone
2
major group
51
tot emp
5,310
a mean
50,330
a median
46,630
a pct10
35,360
a pct25
41,100
a pct75
56,820
a pct90
65,200
h mean
24
h median
22
Typical Tasks for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
The day-to-day work of a drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic typically centers on verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges. Every task listed below is classified as Core in O*NET — they collectively define the role. Task descriptions below are quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET 29.0 occupation profile.
Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.Core
Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.Core
Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.Core
Verify that workpiece reference lines are parallel to the axis of table rotation, using dial indicators mounted in spindles.Core
Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.Core
Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.Core
Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.Core
Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices.Core
Top Skills for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Workers in this occupation rely most on Operations Monitoring, Monitoring, and Operation and Control. Across the top 10 skills, the average O*NET importance score is 3.10 out of 5 — moderately weighted for this role. Importance reflects how essential each skill is for adequate job performance.
Operations Monitoring
3.62
Monitoring
3.12
Operation and Control
3.12
Reading Comprehension
3.12
Active Listening
3.00
Speaking
3.00
Critical Thinking
3.00
Judgment and Decision Making
3.00
Complex Problem Solving
3.00
Time Management
3.00
Education & Entry Qualifications
Among working drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic, the most common entry qualification is a High School Diploma (56.9%). Bachelor's-degree-or-higher credentials are reported by 7% of incumbents. Most workers enter without a four-year degree, making this a relatively accessible career path.
High School Diploma
56.9%
Some College Courses
12.2%
Associate's Degree (or other 2
12.1%
Less than a High School Diploma
9.8%
Bachelor's Degree
7.1%
Salary by State — Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Median annual pay is highest in Washington at $99,720 and lowest in Nevada at $35,130 — a 2.8× spread. The top five states (Washington, Missouri, Massachusetts, Florida, Pennsylvania) average $78,926. Figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level wage estimates; percentiles shown are for full-time wage-earners in each state.
State
Median
Mean
10th %
90th %
Employed
Washington
$99,720
$97,760
$82,880
$108,450
—
Missouri
$99,630
$81,160
$32,400
$99,950
—
Massachusetts
$74,680
$68,210
$45,790
$82,350
80
Florida
$62,400
$58,860
$38,510
$86,500
160
Pennsylvania
$58,200
$54,030
$36,400
$63,960
160
New Hampshire
$57,900
$55,040
$42,680
$68,250
50
New York
$57,180
$51,660
$32,250
$63,550
40
Georgia
$56,740
$57,110
$44,330
$64,100
50
Illinois
$56,200
$56,980
$56,200
$56,820
250
New Jersey
$53,700
$53,580
$38,880
$64,260
—
South Carolina
$50,400
$52,160
$32,390
$66,260
60
Ohio
$50,090
$51,160
$39,690
$62,350
420
Colorado
$49,920
$48,990
$36,120
$56,470
40
Oklahoma
$49,470
$49,670
$24,250
$59,790
—
Virginia
$49,180
$48,170
$40,200
$58,750
40
Mississippi
$48,420
$48,350
$39,210
$59,740
60
California
$48,220
$54,330
$37,870
$80,810
690
North Carolina
$47,640
$50,450
$37,990
$71,980
90
Iowa
$47,110
$48,290
$39,450
$58,910
150
Maine
$47,090
$46,540
$41,760
$50,170
80
Arizona
$46,630
$45,710
$38,960
$49,450
—
Tennessee
$46,590
$44,610
$35,730
$46,590
750
Minnesota
$44,830
$45,370
$37,560
$51,390
120
Michigan
$43,870
$46,050
$31,720
$63,870
170
Texas
$43,600
$42,880
$31,460
$51,370
220
Alabama
$40,030
$41,840
$33,250
$51,960
110
Indiana
$37,910
$41,960
$28,360
$61,510
330
Wisconsin
$37,870
$39,500
$32,200
$46,960
80
Nebraska
$37,160
$41,900
$28,280
$60,470
40
Nevada
$35,130
$37,960
$34,980
$37,960
30
Also Known As
Recruiters and job boards use several alternate titles for drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic. Knowing these variants widens your job search — listings for Automatic Driller and Reamer or Automatic Drilling Machine Operator frequently describe the same role. The list below is a sample of the most common industry variants.
💡 Why it matters: Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
This data helps you understand how Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic compares to others in the 51 category. Use it to make informed decisions based on verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0.
Key Takeaways
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic has a job zone of 2.
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic has a tot emp of 5,310.
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic has a a mean of 50,330.
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic has a a median of 46,630.
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The CertifyWize editorial team aggregates and verifies careers data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.
✓ Sourced from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0✓ Quarterly review✓ No paid placements
What is Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is a career in the 51 category tracked in our database with detailed statistics and comparisons. Data is sourced from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024).
Where does the data for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic come from?
All data for Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is sourced from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024). We verify and cross-reference data to ensure accuracy. Our methodology page explains how we process and validate the data.
What is the job zone of Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic?
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic has a job zone of 2. This metric is one of the key data points tracked for careers in our database. Use our comparison tool to see how this compares to similar careers.
How does the tot emp of Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic compare to average?
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic has a tot emp of 5,310. To see how this compares, visit our rankings page or use the comparison tool to compare Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic against similar careers.
How does Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic compare to other careers?
You can compare Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic with similar careers using our side-by-side comparison tool. Check the "Similar careers" section on this page for the closest matches based on data values, or visit the compare page for a full analysis.
What other careers are in the 51 category?
There are multiple careers in the 51 category. See the "Related careers" section below for others in the same category, or use the search to browse all 51 careers.