Production
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
Median pay
$46,570
Growth to 2035
−1%
little or no change
Openings a year
5,400
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders: 45% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Remove defective or substandard materials from machines, and readjust machine components so that products meet standards.
- Maintain production records, such as quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
- Start machines to verify setups, and make any necessary adjustments.
- Press buttons, pull levers, or depress pedals to start and operate cutting and slicing machines.
- Review work orders, blueprints, specifications, or job samples to determine components, settings, and adjustments for cutting and slicing machines.
- Adjust machine controls to alter position, alignment, speed, or pressure.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices, such as rulers, micrometers, or scales.
- Remove completed materials or products from cutting or slicing machines, and stack or store them for additional processing.
Also called: Cutter · Cutter Operator · Cutting Machine Operator · Die Cutter Operator · Flat Cutter · Machine Operator · Paper Cutter · Sheeter
Outlook and AI
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders held 45,900 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 45,500 by 2035 (−1%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
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