Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Explore safer careers (2)
Lower estimated automation risk
Why it fits
Fits experienced operators who lead crews, quality checks, and machine routines.
Why it fits
Applies hands-on familiarity with forming equipment to machinery upkeep.
Alternative careers
Related career paths that build on similar skills and experience
Why it fits
Directly reuses extruding and forming machine setup in a specific materials specialty.
Why it fits
Uses forming-process and product curing knowledge around heated production equipment.
Occupation snapshot
What does this snowflake show?
What's this?
We rate jobs using four factors. These are:
- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions
These are some key things to think about when job hunting.
Risk & user votes
Calculated automation risk
High Risk (61-80%): This occupation shows a significant risk of end-to-end replacement by automation. Many core parts of the role may be structured, repeatable, software-driven, or physically predictable enough for AI, machines, or robotic systems to take over. If you work in this area, it may be worth exploring safer related careers or moving towards more human-centred responsibilities.
More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.
Human strengths important in this job
These are human abilities and work contexts that are important in this occupation. They may help explain why parts of the role are harder to replace end-to-end, but they are not the only inputs into the automation score.
Decision-making and problem solving
Quite importantWhy this matters
What users think
Based on 13 votes
What do you think the risk of automation is?
What is the likelihood that Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?
Pay & outlook
Wages
In 2024, the median annual wage for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders was $45,130 ($22 per hour).
The median annual wage for Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders was 8.8% lower than the national median annual wage, which stood at $49,500.
View wage trend
Wages over time
Growth
The number of 'Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders' job openings is expected to rise 2.0% by 2034
View employment trend
Total employment, and estimated job openings
Updated projections are due 09-2025.
Volume
As of 2024 there were 57,310 people employed as 'Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders' within the United States.
This represents around < 0.001% of the employed workforce across the country
Put another way, around 1 in 2 thousand people are employed as 'Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders'.
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Job description
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.
O*NET-SOC code: 51-9041.00
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