Metal & Plastic Turning Machine Operator

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Metal & Plastic Turning Machine Operator

Perfect for those who love precision and working with their hands.
Shape essential components for industries, ensuring quality and accuracy.
Master the art of transforming raw materials into vital machine parts.

💰 Earn $40K-$57K

📚 High School Diploma or GED

⏱️ 6–12 MONTH TRAINING

📈 -11.4% JOB GROWTH

Metal & Plastic Turning Machine Operator

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What You’ll Do

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.

Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met.
Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments.

Scoop

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED

Career Prospects

Risky (Decreasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

6 months to 1 year

Job Openings

1,700 Annually

Median Earnings

$48,530 in California

$47,110 Nationally

$25K

$50K

$75K

$100K

$125K

$150K

$175K

$200K

$225K

$250K

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Thinking and problem solving
Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Equipment Maintenance
Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis
Repairing

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Having support
Having freedom

Deep Dive

Metal & Plastic Turning Machine Operator

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years