Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
SOC Code: 51-4023Also known as:
Bar Finish Operator, Bar Roller, Barrel Roller, Barrel Roller Operator, Bed Operator
Median Annual Salary
$48,630
-8.3% growth (2024-2034)
2K
Openings/Year
23K
Current Jobs
What Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic Do
Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.
💰 Salary
$48,630
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-8.3%
Decline
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
2K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
22,500
Projected Employment (2034)
20,600
Related Careers
Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
$45,590 •
-12.1% growth
Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
$48,310 •
-14.4% growth
Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing
$40,440 •
-1.8% growth
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders
$45,700 •
-2.3% growth
Top Skills Required
Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Quality Control Analysis
Monitoring
Speaking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Monitor machine cycles and mill operation to detect jamming and to ensure that products conform to specifications.
- Adjust and correct machine set-ups to reduce thicknesses, reshape products, and eliminate product defects.
- Start operation of rolling and milling machines to flatten, temper, form, and reduce sheet metal sections and to produce steel strips.
- Examine, inspect, and measure raw materials and finished products to verify conformance to specifications.
- Read rolling orders, blueprints, and mill schedules to determine setup specifications, work sequences, product dimensions, and installation procedures.
- Manipulate controls and observe dial indicators to monitor, adjust, and regulate speeds of machine mechanisms.
- Set distance points between rolls, guides, meters, and stops, according to specifications.
- Calculate draft space and roll speed for each mill stand to plan rolling sequences and specified dimensions and tempers.
- Install equipment such as guides, guards, gears, cooling equipment, and rolls, using hand tools.
- Position, align, and secure arbors, spindles, coils, mandrels, dies, and slitting knives.
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic:
Machine Tool Technology/Machinist
3,539 degrees awarded •
248 colleges offer this program
Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking
386 degrees awarded •
18 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.
Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic make?
The median annual salary for rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $48,630.
What education do rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic need?
Most rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Machine Tool Technology/Machinist, Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking.
Is becoming a rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic a good career choice?
Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is projected to see -8.3% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 1,900 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
Top colleges for aspiring rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic include
State Technical College of Missouri, Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee, Williamson College of the Trades, Michigan Career and Technical Institute, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jacksboro.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic?
Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic may also be known as: Bar Finish Operator, Bar Roller, Barrel Roller, Barrel Roller Operator, Bed Operator, Brass Roller, Breakdown Coordinator, Breakdown Mill Operator, Breakdown Operator, Bulldogger, Calender Operator, Caster Operator, Coiler Operator, Cold Form Operator, Cold Headerman, Cold Mill Operator, Cold Reduction Roller, Cold Roll Catcher, Cold Roll Operator, Cold Roller.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.