Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic vs Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: Salary, Job Outlook & Education | Career Matchup
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Career comparison

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic vs Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Compare the evidence side by side. Career Matchup shows the source data without declaring an overall winner.

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01 · Compensation

Pay and employment

Median annual wage

2025

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,620
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4034

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,330
92% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4031

Mean annual wage

2025

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$52,490
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4034

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,430
92% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4031

Hourly median wage

2025

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$24.34
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4034

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$22.27
91% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4031

Hourly mean wage

2025

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$25.24
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4034

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$23.28
92% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4031

10th percentile annual wage

2025

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$36,670
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4034

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$35,760
98% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4031

25th percentile annual wage

2025

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$43,250
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4034

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$38,870
90% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4031

75th percentile annual wage

2025

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$60,700
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4034

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$55,410
91% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4031

90th percentile annual wage

2025

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$69,700
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4034

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$65,510
94% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4031

National employment

2025

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic16,710
10% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4034

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic171,200
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4031

02 · Outlook

Employment outlook

Bars compare the same metric across the two careers. They are not an overall score.

Projected employment change

2025-2035

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic-11.3%
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4034

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic-10.5%
93% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4031

Average annual openings

2025-2035

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic1.4k
11% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4034

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic13.2k
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4031

03 · Preparation

Education and training

Typical entry-level education

2025-2035

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4034

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4031

Related work experience

2025-2035

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNot available

Value missing or suppressed in source.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4034

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNot available

Value missing or suppressed in source.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4031

On-the-job training

2025-2035

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticModerate-term on-the-job training

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4034

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticModerate-term on-the-job training

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4031

04 · Context and fit

Work context

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Contact with others

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3.4 raw · CX scale
60% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3.1 raw · CX scale
53% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Time pressure

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3.3 raw · CX scale
56% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic4.1 raw · CX scale
78% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Spend time standing

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic4.1 raw · CX scale
77% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3.7 raw · CX scale
68% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Exposed to contaminants

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.6 raw · CX scale
40% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic4.7 raw · CX scale
94% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Exposed to disease or infections

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic1 raw · CX scale
0% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic1.2 raw · CX scale
6% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Exposed to hazardous equipment

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic1.5 raw · CX scale
13% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic4.3 raw · CX scale
83% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

04 · Context and fit

Skills

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Monitoring

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Active listening

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.9 raw · LV scale
41% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.9 raw · LV scale
41% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Reading comprehension

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.9 raw · LV scale
41% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Critical thinking

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.8 raw · LV scale
39% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Speaking

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.6 raw · LV scale
37% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.9 raw · LV scale
41% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Mathematics

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.1 raw · LV scale
30% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Active learning

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2 raw · LV scale
29% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.1 raw · LV scale
30% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Writing

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2 raw · LV scale
29% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.1 raw · LV scale
30% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Learning strategies

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2 raw · LV scale
29% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

04 · Context and fit

Work styles

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Dependability

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.3 raw · WI scale
89% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.3 raw · WI scale
88% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Attention to detail

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.5 raw · WI scale
92% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.4 raw · WI scale
91% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Stress tolerance

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic0.9 raw · WI scale
64% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic1 raw · WI scale
66% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Cooperation

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic0.3 raw · WI scale
55% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4034.00

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic0.3 raw · WI scale
55% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4031.00

Explore your next step

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Read the full profile, preparation, skills and source details.

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Read the full profile, preparation, skills and source details.

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Sources

Each side retains the source release, reference period, occupation code, and file hash used for the comparison.

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release May 2025 · Reference 2025

Occupation code 51-4034 · SHA-256 b5855a37f3e03e779f6fbf173d3bbc94aeeff33426aef32fa95ce6d025bab1af

Employment Projections

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release 2025-2035 · Reference 2025-2035

Occupation code 51-4034 · SHA-256 a7d060f0576f7d4f5b829b9a0bb4a6c11a12766d159ebb0e07aab5bd2e7583c5

O*NET Database

Source-backed

O*NET Resource Center

Release 31.0 · Reference August 2026

Occupation code 51-4034.00 · SHA-256 c63ad00a8e45f3d3ef8e1529fcf8864d2279f2dfcb98737436818f5664781b04

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release May 2025 · Reference 2025

Occupation code 51-4031 · SHA-256 b5855a37f3e03e779f6fbf173d3bbc94aeeff33426aef32fa95ce6d025bab1af

Employment Projections

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release 2025-2035 · Reference 2025-2035

Occupation code 51-4031 · SHA-256 a7d060f0576f7d4f5b829b9a0bb4a6c11a12766d159ebb0e07aab5bd2e7583c5

O*NET Database

Source-backed

O*NET Resource Center

Release 31.0 · Reference August 2026

Occupation code 51-4031.00 · SHA-256 c63ad00a8e45f3d3ef8e1529fcf8864d2279f2dfcb98737436818f5664781b04

Read the data in context

Career Matchup does not declare an overall winner. National estimates can hide local variation, and O*NET relative values describe the named construct rather than whether a career is better.

Career Matchup is an independent comparison tool.

Data sourcesData availabilityAboutFree guideContactPrivacyTermsData: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET® Database.