# Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers

> Set up, operate, or tend machines that extrude and form continuous filaments from synthetic materials, such as liquid polymer, rayon, and fiberglass.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/extruding-and-forming-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-synthetic-and-glass-fibers
- SOC code: 51-6091.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $46,350 (10th percentile $35,890, 90th percentile $63,910)
- Projected growth: Decline, -3.3%
- Openings a year: 1,100
- 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) | 92 |
| Investigative (I) | 20 |
| Artistic (A) | 5 |
| Social (S) | 4 |
| Enterprising (E) | 7 |
| Conventional (C) | 51 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 86/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 85/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 85/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 79/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 79/100)
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (importance 77/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 72/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 72/100)
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (importance 71/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 70/100)

## Skills

Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination, Judgment and Decision Making, Quality Control Analysis, Speaking, Time Management

## Knowledge

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

## Also called

Beamer Operator, Beaming Machine Operator, Blown Film Extrusion Operator, Box Spinner, Drawbench Operator, Extruder, Extruder Operator, Extrusion Line Operator, Extrusion Machine Operator, Extrusion Operator

## Related careers

- [Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/extruding-and-drawing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $47,720 median pay
- [Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/extruding-forming-pressing-and-compacting-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $45,760 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
- [Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/molding-coremaking-and-casting-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $44,350 median pay
- [Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/adhesive-bonding-machine-operators-and-tenders): $46,460 median pay
- [Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/rolling-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $50,140 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.