# Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

> Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/forging-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic
- SOC code: 51-4022.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $49,030 (10th percentile $36,800, 90th percentile $68,720)
- Projected growth: Decline, -17.2%
- Openings a year: 600
- 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) | 96 |
| Investigative (I) | 27 |
| Artistic (A) | 1 |
| Social (S) | 0 |
| Enterprising (E) | 3 |
| Conventional (C) | 56 |

## What you'd do

- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 77/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 77/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 76/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 75/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 73/100)
- Getting Information (importance 72/100)
- Processing Information (importance 71/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 63/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 63/100)
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (importance 63/100)

## Skills

Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Monitoring, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Equipment Maintenance, Quality Control Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Coordination

## Knowledge

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

## Also called

Automatic Forging Machine Operator, Blacksmith, Board Hammer Operator, Bolt Machine Operator, Drop Forge Operator, Drop Forger, Drop Hammer Set Up Operator, Drophammer Operator, Forge Operator, Forge Press Operator

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Precision Metal Working](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/4805) (CIP 4805, 746 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Ferris State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ferris-state-university-949) | Precision Metal Working | not reported | $86,941 | $12,000 |
| [Del Mar College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/del-mar-college-782) | Precision Metal Working | $41,304 | $79,303 | not reported |
| [Hennepin Technical College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/hennepin-technical-college-1182) | Precision Metal Working | $68,632 | $76,020 | $11,033 |
| [Des Moines Area Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/des-moines-area-community-college-797) | Precision Metal Working | $65,355 | $75,145 | not reported |
| [Ivy Tech Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ivy-tech-community-college-1314) | Precision Metal Working | $69,427 | $75,002 | $5,900 |
| [Dunwoody College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/dunwoody-college-of-technology-838) | Precision Metal Working | $60,388 | $70,886 | $12,000 |
| [Pennsylvania College of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pennsylvania-college-of-technology-2096) | Precision Metal Working | $63,054 | $70,298 | $19,500 |
| [Austin Community College District](https://www.collegesref.com/college/austin-community-college-district-152) | Precision Metal Working | $46,036 | $69,185 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [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
- [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
- [Tool and Die Makers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/tool-and-die-makers): $64,050 median pay
- [Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/multiple-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $47,180 median pay
- [Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/lathe-and-turning-machine-tool-setters-operators-and-tenders-metal-and-plastic): $50,620 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

## 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.