Production
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders
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.
Median pay
$45,760
Growth to 2035
+2%
little or no change
Openings a year
5,200
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting 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
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
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders: 26% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Adjust machine components to regulate speeds, pressures, and temperatures, and amounts, dimensions, and flow of materials or ingredients.
- Press control buttons to activate machinery and equipment.
- Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to standards, using measuring devices such as templates, micrometers, or scales.
- Monitor machine operations and observe lights and gauges to detect malfunctions.
- Clear jams, and remove defective or substandard materials or products.
- Notify supervisors when extruded filaments fail to meet standards.
- Record and maintain production data, such as meter readings, and quantities, types, and dimensions of materials produced.
- Review work orders, specifications, or instructions to determine materials, ingredients, procedures, components, settings, and adjustments for extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines.
Also called: Extruder Operator · Extrusion Operator · Glass Forming Crew Member · Machine Operator · Press Operator · Tuber Operator
Outlook and AI
Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders held 58,300 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 59,200 by 2035 (+2%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
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