# Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

> Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cutting-and-slicing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders
- SOC code: 51-9032.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $46,570 (10th percentile $35,930, 90th percentile $61,120)
- Projected growth: Little or no change, -0.9%
- Openings a year: 5,400
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 95 |
| Investigative (I) | 10 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 3 |
| Conventional (C) | 58 |

## What you'd do

- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 81/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 80/100)
- Getting Information (importance 79/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 79/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 79/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 78/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 77/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 76/100)
- Training and Teaching Others (importance 76/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 73/100)

## Skills

Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Quality Control Analysis, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination

## Knowledge

Production and Processing, English Language, Mechanical, Computers and Electronics, Administration and Management, Education and Training, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology, Design, Customer and Personal Service

## Also called

Abrasive Sawyer, Almond Cutting Machine Tender, Apple Peeler Operator, Applique Cutter, Arch Cushion Skiving Machine Operator, Automatic Glass Cutting Machine Operator, Automatic Outsole Cutter, Bag Cutter, Band Cutter, Band Sawing Machine Operator

## Related careers

- [Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/woodworking-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-except-sawing): $43,380 median pay
- [Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/grinding-lapping-polishing-and-buffing-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal): $46,550 median pay
- [Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/textile-cutting-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $38,760 median pay
- [Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cutting-punching-and-press-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $46,330 median pay
- [Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sawing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-wood): $42,770 median pay
- [Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/paper-goods-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $50,270 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.