Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Mean (average) | $51,810 | $24.91 |
| 90th percentile | $68,410 | $32.89 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 32 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $53,110 | $41,220 | $53,200 | 140 | 2.24 |
| Arizona | $48,140 | $38,890 | $48,140 | 70 | 0.75 |
| Arkansas | $46,730 | $33,280 | $59,290 | 60 | 1.6 |
| California | $49,080 | $37,520 | $66,250 | 690 | 1.26 |
| Colorado | $51,280 | $37,810 | $58,300 | 40 | 0.41 |
| Connecticut | $41,080 | $35,250 | $80,060 | 50 | 0.89 |
| Florida | $66,340 | $37,890 | $73,280 | 80 | 0.27 |
| Georgia | $46,270 | $36,780 | $60,020 | 80 | 0.53 |
| Idaho | $69,590 | $45,090 | $92,790 | 70 | 2.78 |
| Illinois | $56,720 | $32,460 | $57,860 | 390 | 2.14 |
| Indiana | $39,110 | $29,280 | $60,120 | 300 | 3.13 |
| Iowa | $43,860 | $40,720 | $61,020 | 110 | 2.43 |
| Kentucky | $51,740 | $46,460 | $53,350 | ||
| Massachusetts | $77,780 | $46,110 | $84,930 | 60 | 0.58 |
| Michigan | $60,410 | $36,530 | $72,460 | 190 | 1.42 |
| Minnesota | $47,010 | $41,300 | $59,180 | 110 | 1.27 |
| Mississippi | $49,930 | $35,760 | $61,670 | 50 | 1.56 |
| Missouri | $44,990 | $36,300 | $102,870 | 80 | 0.88 |
| New Hampshire | $59,800 | $44,060 | $68,400 | 40 | 2.07 |
| New Jersey | $47,870 | $45,350 | $57,080 | 70 | 0.54 |
| New York | $55,310 | $46,490 | $65,610 | 70 | 0.23 |
| North Carolina | $46,970 | $34,630 | $74,310 | 50 | 0.37 |
| Ohio | $51,670 | $41,100 | $64,370 | 200 | 1.2 |
| Oklahoma | $55,230 | $26,880 | $61,680 | 250 | 4.94 |
| Oregon | Data unavailable | 60 | 0.94 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $46,370 | $36,430 | $64,380 | 180 | 0.97 |
| South Carolina | $52,040 | $37,040 | $68,410 | 70 | 1.02 |
| Tennessee | $45,070 | $39,880 | $64,070 | 400 | 4.07 |
| Texas | $44,350 | $33,630 | $56,090 | 220 | 0.52 |
| Virginia | $90,390 | $41,120 | $90,390 | 100 | 0.8 |
| West Virginia | $45,060 | $37,960 | $54,080 | ||
| Wisconsin | $49,640 | $37,610 | $72,850 | 60 | 0.67 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 400. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Machine Tool Technology/Machinist CIP 48.0501
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- SAP software (hot technology)
- Automated inventory software
- Computerized numerical control CNC software
Transferable skills for career changers: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Quality Control Analysis.
Common job titles: Bore Mill Operator, CNC Drilling Operator (Computer Numerical Control Drilling Operator), CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), Drill Operator, Drill Press Operator, Drill Setup Operator, Machine Operator, Punch Operator, Radial Drill Operator, Setup Mill Operator.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?
The national median annual wage for drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic was $49,080 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $36,300 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $68,410. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic a growing career?
BLS projects employment of drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic to change -9.5% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 400 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Virginia ($90,390), Massachusetts ($77,780), Idaho ($69,590). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.