Production & Manufacturing · Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.
This profile is intended as career exploration guidance based on federal labor data. Actual job requirements, salaries, and opportunities vary by employer and location.
Entry Salary
$29–35k
First 1–2 years
Peak Salary
$52–61k
10+ years experience
Job Outlook
-4.3% · Declining
Growth rate estimated from Production & Manufacturing cluster average (2024-2034 BLS projections).
Time to Start
1–2 years
College degree typical
Salary data sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2024. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, employer, and specialization.
Entry-Level Plastic
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Experienced Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Senior Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Director of Production & Manufacturing
You prioritize Support
This career is strongly aligned with Support — a core work value that shapes how people approach their career decisions.
You're strong in Operations Monitoring
Operations Monitoring is a top skill for this career, and it plays to what students like you naturally do best.
Good fit for your timeline
This career typically requires short-term training (less than 1 year), which matches common student preparation goals.
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248 schools offer programs in this career field.
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