SOC 51-9041.00

    Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

    Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.

    Median pay
    $45,760
    Growth
    +1.5%
    Slower than average
    Openings a year
    5,200
    Typical education
    High school diploma

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

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    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $34,630
    Median
    $45,760
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $63,450
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    58,770 people work in this occupation.

    What extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders do

    Job Zone 2: Some preparation

    Set up, operate, or tend machines, such as glass-forming machines, plodder machines, and tuber machines, to shape and form products such as glassware, food, rubber, soap, brick, tile, clay, wax, tobacco, or cosmetics.

    Usually a high school diploma; some on-the-job training or experience.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    92 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    21 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    5 / 100
    Social (S)
    1 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    4 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    55 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RCI. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Controlling Machines and Processes
    86
    Getting Information
    77
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    77
    Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
    77
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    75
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    73
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    73
    Documenting/Recording Information
    72
    Processing Information
    72
    Handling and Moving Objects
    71
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Operation and Control
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Monitoring
    • Speaking
    • Active Listening
    • Critical Thinking
    • Quality Control Analysis
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Troubleshooting
    • Complex Problem Solving

    Knowledge

    • Production and Processing
    • Mechanical
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Mathematics
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Food Production
    • English Language
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Education and Training
    • Administration and Management

    Abilities

    • Perceptual Speed
    • Rate Control
    • Reaction Time
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Near Vision
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Auditory Attention
    • Control Precision
    • Far Vision

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Cautiousness
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Perseverance
    • Integrity
    • Self-Control
    • Self-Confidence
    • Adaptability

    Also called

    Abrasive Wheel Molder · Air Bag Curer · Alfalfa Dehydrator Operator · Arch Cushion Press Operator · Artificial Log Machine Operator · Auger Press Operator · Automatic Lump Making Machine Tender · Bag Bailer · Bag Builder · Bailer

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

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    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

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    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    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.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.