Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$47,920
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4122

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,330
97% 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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$50,220
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4122

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48,430
96% 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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$23.04
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4122

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$22.27
97% 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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$24.15
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4122

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$23.28
96% 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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$36,860
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4122

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$35,760
97% 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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$40,560
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4122

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$38,870
96% 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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$57,390
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4122

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$55,410
97% 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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$66,540
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4122

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$65,510
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

National employment

2025

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders31,600
18% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 51-4122

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders-8.9%
85% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4122

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic-10.5%
100% 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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders2.5k
19% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4122

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4122

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersNot 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: 51-4122

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersModerate-term on-the-job training

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 51-4122

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders3.7 raw · CX scale
68% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders4.3 raw · CX scale
82% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders4.3 raw · CX scale
82% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders4.3 raw · CX scale
81% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders1.2 raw · CX scale
6% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders3.3 raw · CX scale
57% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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.

Critical thinking

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Monitoring

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Reading comprehension

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders2.9 raw · LV scale
41% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Speaking

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders2.9 raw · LV scale
41% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Writing

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders2.3 raw · LV scale
32% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Active learning

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders2 raw · LV scale
29% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders1.9 raw · LV scale
27% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders2.3 raw · WI scale
89% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders2.3 raw · WI scale
89% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders1 raw · WI scale
67% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders0.5 raw · WI scale
58% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 51-4122.00

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

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.

  • Use the career comparison checklist

Sources

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

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release May 2025 · Reference 2025

Occupation code 51-4122 · SHA-256 b5855a37f3e03e779f6fbf173d3bbc94aeeff33426aef32fa95ce6d025bab1af

Employment Projections

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release 2025-2035 · Reference 2025-2035

Occupation code 51-4122 · SHA-256 a7d060f0576f7d4f5b829b9a0bb4a6c11a12766d159ebb0e07aab5bd2e7583c5

O*NET Database

Source-backed

O*NET Resource Center

Release 31.0 · Reference August 2026

Occupation code 51-4122.00 · 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.