Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Also called: Automatic Screwmaker, Automatic Spinning Lathe Operator, Automatic Spinning Lathe Setter, Axle Turner, Back Facer, Balance Recesser, Balance Wheel Facer, Bar Pointer
Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
What Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic do
Typical tasks
- Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
- Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.
- Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.
- Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
- Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
- Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.
- Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
- Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
- Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments.
- Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met.
- Program computer numerical control machines.
- Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary
The median annual wage for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is $50,620 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $36,670 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $69,700. The mean annual wage is $52,490.
The mean hourly wage of $25.00 is 3.4× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $50,620 → in 3 years $54,100 → in 5 years $56,600 → in 10 years $63,200 (10-year range $54,300–$73,400). The model assumes pay growth of +2.2% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic United States | 汎用金属工作機械工（旋盤工、ボール盤工等） Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | $50,620 | ¥4.84M ≈ $30,771 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | $63,200 | ¥6.19M |
| Outlook score | 34 | 54 |
| AI replacement risk | 49% Moderate | 41% Moderate |
| Workers | 17K | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.