Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

November 2004 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal: Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.

Earnings for machine operators can vary by size of the company, union or nonunion status, industry, and skill level and experience of the operator. Also, temporary employees, who are being hired in greater numbers, usually get paid less than company-employed workers. The median hourly earnings in 2002 for a variety of machine setters, operators, and tenders—metal and plastic were as follows:

Model makers, metal and plastic	$18.27
Patternmakers, metal and plastic	16.09
Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders	14.79
Lay-out workers, metal and plastic	14.79
Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	14.55
Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners	14.14
Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	14.04
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	13.79
Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	13.62
Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	13.56
Pourers and casters, metal	13.40
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	13.23
Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	12.64
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	12.56
Foundry mold and coremakers	12.55
Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	12.44
Plating and coating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	12.22
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	11.81
Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	11.17
All other metal workers and plastic workers	13.65

Machine setters, operators, and tenders—metal and plastic held about 1.3 million jobs in 2002. Approximately 9 of 10 jobs were found in manufacturing. About 38 percent of all employment was in these manufacturing industries: transportation equipment manufacturing, plastics and rubber products manufacturing, and machinery manufacturing. The following tabulation shows the distribution of employment of machine setters, operators, and tenders—metal and plastic by detailed occupation.

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	283,000
Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	151,000
Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	104,000
Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	99,000
Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	98,000
Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	75,000
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	53,000
Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	45,000
Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	44,000
Plating and coating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	44,000
Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	31,000
Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic	29,000
Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners	26,000
Foundry mold and coremakers	23,000
Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders	18,000
Pourers and casters, metal	13,000
Lay-out workers, metal and plastic	13,000
Model makers, metal and plastic	8,500
Patternmakers, metal and plastic	6,500
All other metal workers and plastic workers	104,000

(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Machine setters, operators, and tenders—metal and plastic)

See more recent statistics for employed workers below.

November 2004 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers

National, State, and Metropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Earnings

Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
	Percentile annual earnings, $
	10th	25th	50th	75th	90th
National
U.S. employment: 42,830 mean earnings: $30,730	19,010	23,150	28,670	36,660	46,950
State and Metro Area
Alabama (ACS) (EAG) employment: 410 mean earnings: $26,920	18,510	21,350	26,640	32,150	36,320
Birmingham, AL employment: 130 mean earnings: $28,790	20,760	24,030	28,740	33,360	37,750
Arizona (ACS) (EAG) employment: 410 mean earnings: $28,830	19,190	22,490	26,200	30,640	42,670
Phoenix - Mesa, AZ employment: 350 mean earnings: $28,880	19,020	22,310	26,170	30,530	44,190
Tucson, AZ employment: n.a. mean earnings: $26,640	19,650	22,220	26,160	31,340	34,660
Arkansas (ACS) (EAG) employment: 500 mean earnings: $25,840	17,290	23,060	26,210	29,370	34,410
Little Rock - North Little Rock, AR employment: 50 mean earnings: $24,480	19,210	21,260	24,540	27,160	28,790
California (ACS) (EAG) employment: 3,200 mean earnings: $27,130	17,020	19,700	24,750	32,400	42,230
Los Angeles - Long Beach, CA employment: 1,310 mean earnings: $26,150	16,840	19,360	23,960	30,380	38,910
Oakland, CA employment: 100 mean earnings: $33,260	19,660	24,350	34,420	41,920	45,480
Orange County, CA employment: 650 mean earnings: $26,710	16,990	19,690	25,310	33,350	39,800
Riverside - San Bernardino, CA employment: 410 mean earnings: $25,020	16,780	18,990	22,320	28,480	38,810
San Diego, CA employment: 120 mean earnings: $33,190	20,560	24,200	30,600	43,010	48,390
San Francisco, CA employment: 60 mean earnings: $44,330	22,790	26,230	33,410	68,120	82,020
San Jose, CA employment: 130 mean earnings: $31,510	20,150	24,080	28,130	38,410	48,300
San Luis Obispo - Atascadero - Paso Robles, CA employment: n.a. mean earnings: $27,890	18,270	21,470	26,620	33,650	41,370
Santa Rosa, CA employment: 40 mean earnings: $27,340	15,520	16,750	19,290	38,330	49,680
Vallejo - Fairfield - Napa, CA employment: 40 mean earnings: $26,090	18,220	19,880	22,550	28,000	44,570
Ventura, CA employment: 120 mean earnings: $24,820	15,750	17,610	21,780	28,010	41,730
Colorado (ACS) (EAG) employment: n.a. mean earnings: $26,190	18,810	20,310	22,910	29,600	37,350
Colorado Springs, CO employment: n.a. mean earnings: $24,570	18,850	20,200	22,470	29,700	33,140
Denver, CO employment: n.a. mean earnings: $23,650	18,890	20,030	21,910	26,650	32,400
Connecticut (ACS) (EAG) employment: 930 mean earnings: $29,320	19,270	22,810	27,790	35,050	42,580
Bridgeport, CT employment: 100 mean earnings: $30,520	19,010	22,870	28,670	37,950	44,960
Hartford, CT employment: 530 mean earnings: $29,230	20,260	23,380	27,830	34,720	41,620
New Haven - Meriden, CT employment: 90 mean earnings: $28,950	19,670	23,680	28,310	33,280	36,190
Waterbury, CT employment: 110 mean earnings: $27,950	14,930	17,470	22,530	36,530	45,480
Florida (ACS) (EAG) employment: 700 mean earnings: $23,630	14,710	18,710	23,100	27,750	34,000
Daytona Beach, FL Occupational Outlook Handbookemployment: n.a. mean earnings: $23,440	18,960	20,560	23,350	26,310	28,090
Miami, FL employment: 70 mean earnings: $22,960	12,690	14,480	20,810	30,510	38,480
Orlando, FL employment: 60 mean earnings: $27,270	18,680	20,600	25,310	35,710	40,910
Tampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater, FL employment: 160 mean earnings: $25,220	18,590	20,780	24,180	27,730	33,590
Georgia (ACS) (EAG) employment: 1,290 mean earnings: $25,350	19,380	21,580	25,150	28,320	32,750
Atlanta, GA employment: 200 mean earnings: $27,300	20,360	23,420	26,260	30,750	37,420
Columbus, GA - AL employment: n.a. mean earnings: $26,660	23,320	24,500	26,440	28,380	32,300
Idaho (ACS) (EAG) employment: n.a. mean earnings: $33,500	26,210	29,910	33,560	38,660	42,560
Illinois (ACS) (EAG) employment: 2,580 mean earnings: $29,630	18,940	22,610	27,860	35,970	43,630
Chicago, IL employment: 1,430 mean earnings: $27,940	18,590	21,690	26,070	33,060	41,820
Peoria - Pekin, IL employment: 330 mean earnings: $38,310	22,190	30,880	40,140	45,220	52,990
Rockford, IL employment: 300 mean earnings: $30,770	20,450	26,560	30,990	34,420	41,460
Indiana (ACS) (EAG) employment: 3,090 mean earnings: $34,570	21,090	24,910	31,670	45,560	53,180
Evansville - Henderson, IN - KY employment: 30 mean earnings: $28,700	18,610	19,960	22,200	39,010	43,010
Fort Wayne, IN employment: 310 mean earnings: $31,730	20,350	23,240	29,120	39,260	48,450
Gary, IN employment: 30 mean earnings: $37,160	24,610	30,060	36,380	45,230	52,020
Indianapolis, IN employment: 160 mean earnings: $39,350	23,540	26,880	39,370	52,030	55,780
South Bend, IN employment: n.a. mean earnings: $37,250	20,520	26,620	39,440	46,610	52,650
Iowa (ACS) (EAG) employment: 490 mean earnings: $28,620	21,050	24,180	27,440	32,440	39,150
Davenport - Moline - Rock Island, IA - IL employment: 110 mean earnings: $25,390	18,360	20,510	23,470	28,590	35,910
Waterloo - Cedar Falls, IA employment: n.a. mean earnings: $35,500	28,520	30,690	34,440	40,470	44,750
Kansas (ACS) (EAG) employment: 310 mean earnings: $30,120	19,260	23,840	29,710	36,430	42,550
Kentucky (ACS) (EAG) employment: 1,170 mean earnings: $27,480	19,840	23,760	27,800	32,310	35,150
Lexington, KY employment: 40 mean earnings: $24,260	12,430	13,650	28,560	33,150	37,800
Louisville, KY - IN employment: 110 mean earnings: $26,130	18,050	22,020	26,270	30,430	34,470
Louisiana (ACS) (EAG) employment: 210 mean earnings: $26,580	16,850	19,960	24,780	32,020	36,440
New Orleans, LA employment: 40 mean earnings: $27,780	18,100	23,300	27,300	32,450	37,710
Maine (ACS) (EAG) employment: 130 mean earnings: $30,420	22,920	25,300	29,410	35,850	41,020
Maryland (ACS) (EAG) employment: 340 mean earnings: $44,760	24,100	30,480	51,240	56,330	59,400
Baltimore, MD employment: 80 mean earnings: $29,980	22,940	25,080	28,610	34,110	40,630
Massachusetts (ACS) (EAG) employment: 640 mean earnings: $36,920	21,580	26,820	34,350	45,470	58,310
Boston, MA - NH employment: 270 mean earnings: $43,820	24,800	32,770	43,600	56,040	65,610
Fitchburg - Leominster, MA employment: 50 mean earnings: $34,690	20,050	22,800	31,490	44,440	55,800
Springfield, MA employment: 140 mean earnings: $30,370	20,770	23,720	31,020	34,820	37,830
Worcester, MA - CT employment: 60 mean earnings: $31,480	24,730	26,430	29,200	36,280	43,060
Michigan (ACS) (EAG) employment: 4,330 mean earnings: $32,350	18,980	22,350	29,040	41,980	53,170
Benton Harbor, MI employment: 70 mean earnings: $27,970	18,340	19,920	22,530	35,400	43,340
Detroit, MI Occupational Outlook Handbookemployment: 1,850 mean earnings: $37,350	19,670	26,450	34,460	50,470	56,180
Flint, MI employment: 50 mean earnings: $32,380	16,270	24,220	30,410	42,020	51,850
Grand Rapids - Muskegon - Holland, MI employment: 1,150 mean earnings: $26,520	19,040	20,530	23,020	30,560	40,260
Jackson, MI employment: 70 mean earnings: $24,970	18,900	20,410	23,840	28,070	34,640
Kalamazoo - Battle Creek, MI employment: 110 mean earnings: $25,570	19,210	21,330	24,810	27,910	30,390
Saginaw - Bay City - Midland, MI employment: 60 mean earnings: $37,350	18,690	22,940	35,880	51,520	56,720
Minnesota (ACS) (EAG) employment: 770 mean earnings: $33,670	22,700	26,960	33,960	40,430	44,510
Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN - WI employment: 530 mean earnings: $36,350	24,750	31,110	37,570	42,330	45,350
Mississippi (ACS) (EAG) employment: 220 mean earnings: $26,660	17,440	23,580	27,490	30,710	34,410
Missouri (ACS) (EAG) employment: 710 mean earnings: $28,600	18,690	21,600	26,930	33,800	42,500
Kansas City, MO - KS employment: n.a. mean earnings: $25,550	18,000	20,840	24,860	29,080	35,910
St. Louis, MO - IL employment: 400 mean earnings: $31,830	20,020	23,230	31,310	36,510	48,590
Springfield, MO Occupational Outlook Handbookemployment: 40 mean earnings: $28,960	20,970	24,800	28,260	34,270	37,390
Nebraska (ACS) (EAG) employment: 260 mean earnings: $25,360	18,760	20,720	23,610	31,430	34,680
Omaha, NE - IA employment: 40 mean earnings: $24,290	15,910	18,110	22,620	31,270	34,290
Nevada (ACS) (EAG) employment: 60 mean earnings: $32,230	21,470	26,870	32,720	37,990	43,470
New Hampshire (ACS) (EAG) employment: 240 mean earnings: $28,850	21,090	24,090	28,040	33,550	38,680
Nashua, NH employment: 40 mean earnings: $31,480	22,830	26,240	31,990	36,820	41,200
New Jersey (ACS) (EAG) employment: 410 mean earnings: $24,820	14,230	17,050	22,110	31,420	40,030
Bergen - Passaic, NJ employment: 130 mean earnings: $25,850	15,310	17,330	21,890	32,490	45,010
Jersey City, NJ employment: n.a. mean earnings: $19,850	12,150	13,580	17,650	24,710	29,940
Middlesex - Somerset - Hunterdon, NJ employment: n.a. mean earnings: $28,020	19,020	20,930	27,260	33,280	40,300
Newark, NJ employment: 120 mean earnings: $23,200	13,080	15,840	20,450	28,870	35,680
New York (ACS) (EAG) employment: 1,390 mean earnings: $30,870	18,380	23,380	30,450	37,120	44,610
Buffalo - Niagara Falls, NY employment: 220 mean earnings: $32,360	18,780	25,340	33,310	40,020	44,420
Jamestown, NY employment: 60 mean earnings: $30,220	15,950	25,040	30,640	35,220	43,440
Nassau - Suffolk, NY employment: 200 mean earnings: $29,540	17,900	21,620	26,440	36,140	47,800
New York, NY employment: 190 mean earnings: $29,310	17,660	22,860	27,540	35,040	43,880
Rochester, NY employment: 230 mean earnings: $28,180	16,430	19,500	28,780	34,060	41,790
Syracuse, NY employment: 170 mean earnings: $35,770	22,600	29,110	34,810	42,620	52,240
Utica - Rome, NY employment: 60 mean earnings: $28,100	20,900	24,200	28,470	32,220	35,210
North Carolina (ACS) (EAG) employment: 1,070 mean earnings: $29,230	21,510	24,400	27,170	34,160	41,690
Charlotte - Gastonia - Rock Hill, NC - SC employment: 360 mean earnings: $32,930	24,030	26,040	30,560	39,530	44,860
Greensboro - - Winston - Salem - - High Point, NC employment: 360 mean earnings: $28,870	21,900	24,360	26,840	34,160	41,520
North Dakota (ACS) (EAG) employment: 60 mean earnings: $40,540	25,530	30,400	39,580	45,620	62,550
Ohio (ACS) (EAG) employment: 5,230 mean earnings: $35,970	21,480	26,950	35,750	44,880	52,820
Akron, OH employment: 430 mean earnings: $31,930	24,140	27,550	31,430	35,110	42,080
Canton - Massillon, OH employment: 160 mean earnings: $29,480	19,030	21,590	29,150	35,390	42,690
Cincinnati, OH - KY - IN employment: 330 mean earnings: $29,050	17,950	21,590	27,890	35,070	42,320
Cleveland - Lorain - Elyria, OH employment: 860 mean earnings: $30,540	19,380	24,010	28,680	35,740	44,930
Columbus, OH employment: 180 mean earnings: $31,380	22,450	24,840	28,040	36,220	48,870
Lima, OH employment: 70 mean earnings: $35,160	27,040	30,420	34,010	39,480	45,000
Mansfield, OH employment: n.a. mean earnings: $32,610	24,370	26,770	31,250	38,140	43,990
Youngstown - Warren, OH employment: 200 mean earnings: $25,000	13,420	16,320	22,410	33,100	40,350
Oklahoma (ACS) (EAG) employment: 490 mean earnings: $27,820	17,370	22,750	28,930	33,470	36,460
Oklahoma City, OK employment: 120 mean earnings: $28,400	18,190	22,140	29,430	34,030	39,050
Tulsa, OK employment: 270 mean earnings: $29,990	20,290	26,420	31,250	34,390	36,810
Oregon (ACS) (EAG) employment: 230 mean earnings: $36,460	22,160	27,430	32,740	41,880	63,200
Portland - Vancouver, OR - WA employment: 170 mean earnings: $38,610	24,160	29,150	33,570	45,870	66,430
Pennsylvania (ACS) (EAG) employment: 1,880 mean earnings: $32,690	19,410	25,420	31,540	39,540	48,920
Allentown - Bethlehem - Easton, PA employment: 80 mean earnings: $33,330	28,500	29,880	32,220	34,570	41,560
Erie, PA employment: 170 mean earnings: $32,800	22,190	25,350	31,070	38,640	49,980
Harrisburg - Lebanon - Carlisle, PA employment: 60 mean earnings: $28,700	23,380	25,600	28,920	32,530	34,700
Lancaster, PA Occupational Outlook Handbookemployment: 70 mean earnings: $28,430	21,380	24,110	27,750	32,950	36,270
Philadelphia, PA - NJ employment: 460 mean earnings: $35,880	22,500	28,590	36,040	43,410	50,030
Pittsburgh, PA employment: 230 mean earnings: $32,780	19,600	24,710	32,490	39,670	47,850
Reading, PA employment: 40 mean earnings: $32,430	21,080	25,240	31,460	38,440	44,240
Rhode Island (ACS) (EAG) employment: 70 mean earnings: $34,440	19,370	24,160	36,060	42,360	47,960
Providence - Fall River - Warwick, RI - MA employment: 90 mean earnings: $33,850	19,720	23,320	34,780	42,020	48,610
South Carolina (ACS) (EAG) employment: 1,030 mean earnings: $29,740	23,570	26,070	29,860	33,730	36,210
Greenville - Spartanburg - Anderson, SC employment: 240 mean earnings: $28,880	23,170	24,790	27,400	32,310	39,240
South Dakota (ACS) (EAG) employment: 170 mean earnings: $26,120	20,220	23,140	26,050	29,070	33,070
Tennessee (ACS) (EAG) employment: 1,540 mean earnings: $30,240	19,670	23,210	31,200	36,280	41,570
Chattanooga, TN - GA employment: 30 mean earnings: $27,760	17,310	21,620	27,730	34,130	36,870
Clarksville - Hopkinsville, TN - KY employment: 90 mean earnings: $26,130	23,340	24,360	26,060	27,760	28,870
Jackson, TN employment: 60 mean earnings: $31,040	17,990	24,170	32,170	37,920	43,000
Knoxville, TN employment: 180 mean earnings: $30,390	20,210	23,370	30,820	35,790	41,820
Memphis, TN - AR - MS employment: 220 mean earnings: $29,890	20,320	24,520	30,900	34,440	36,530
Nashville, TN employment: 180 mean earnings: $31,060	20,700	25,880	31,700	35,660	40,870
Texas (ACS) (EAG) employment: 2,220 mean earnings: $26,180	15,850	19,150	25,020	31,490	40,810
Austin - San Marcos, TX employment: 40 mean earnings: $25,660	16,840	19,870	24,800	31,630	35,630
Beaumont - Port Arthur, TX employment: n.a. mean earnings: $23,760	16,990	20,710	24,420	26,930	28,430
Dallas, TX employment: 330 mean earnings: $25,220	15,870	18,540	24,080	30,240	38,650
El Paso, TX employment: 140 mean earnings: $29,130	17,360	21,370	28,060	36,530	43,740
Fort Worth - Arlington, TX employment: 280 mean earnings: $24,160	15,440	17,550	24,440	27,560	36,950
Houston, TX employment: 710 mean earnings: $27,520	15,240	18,170	26,400	35,470	43,600
Wichita Falls, TX employment: n.a. mean earnings: $24,520	16,010	19,430	24,970	29,340	34,200
Utah (ACS) (EAG) employment: 140 mean earnings: $38,250	21,090	25,530	33,220	49,910	67,300
Salt Lake City - Ogden, UT employment: n.a. mean earnings: $45,860	26,700	32,560	42,860	62,670	70,480
Vermont (ACS) (EAG) employment: 130 mean earnings: $27,690	19,900	23,100	27,490	31,900	35,040
Virginia (ACS) (EAG) employment: 830 mean earnings: $27,450	20,680	23,910	26,830	31,030	35,340
Lynchburg, VA employment: 40 mean earnings: $27,420	20,870	23,850	26,410	29,860	35,560
Norfolk - Virginia Beach - Newport News, VA - NC employment: 80 mean earnings: $28,710	19,280	23,880	28,050	33,880	39,750
Richmond - Petersburg, VA employment: 30 mean earnings: $27,130	19,390	21,770	26,090	32,860	37,370
Washington (ACS) (EAG) employment: 280 mean earnings: $32,320	21,150	24,970	30,530	38,330	46,410
Seattle - Bellevue - Everett, WA Occupational Outlook Handbookemployment: 190 mean earnings: $32,880	21,920	25,400	30,530	38,640	50,140
West Virginia (ACS) (EAG) employment: 100 mean earnings: $23,890	15,000	17,150	22,990	27,950	34,290
Wisconsin (ACS) (EAG) employment: 2,240 mean earnings: $30,910	19,470	23,760	29,220	37,200	45,920
Appleton - Oshkosh - Neenah, WI employment: 120 mean earnings: $34,390	25,830	29,570	34,670	40,110	43,550
Green Bay, WI employment: 30 mean earnings: $38,630	30,920	35,620	39,710	43,140	45,200
Janesville - Beloit, WI employment: 80 mean earnings: $31,580	23,570	28,040	32,320	35,850	40,500
Milwaukee - Waukesha, WI employment: 850 mean earnings: $32,320	17,400	21,810	29,490	43,250	51,990
Racine, WI employment: n.a. mean earnings: $26,180	19,580	21,310	25,240	31,480	35,050
Wausau, WI employment: 90 mean earnings: $30,120	21,610	27,570	31,340	34,100	35,770
Puerto Rico (ACS) (EAG) employment: 110 mean earnings: $18,300	11,890	13,280	16,610	23,600	27,160
San Juan - Bayamon, PR employment: 60 mean earnings: $17,450	11,630	12,620	14,450	23,450	27,000

source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates

The highlighted text indicates the maximum values in each column among the states and metropolitan areas.

The (ACS) links lead to data from the American Community Survey from the Census Bureau.

The (EAG) links lead to U.S. Economy at a Glance data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.