Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic - Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
The national average annual salary for this occupation is $30,690 per year. Nationally, the average hourly wage for this occupation is $14.76. The average wage in New Mexico is below the national average. In New Mexico, the average hourly wage is $13.69 and most workers in this occupation earn between $9.96 and $15.55 per hour.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| Area | Entry Wage | Average Wage | Experienced Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Annual | $30,690 | ||
| National Hourly | $14.76 | ||
| Statewide Annual | $20,714 | $28,474 | $32,354 |
| Statewide Hourly | $9.96 | $13.69 | $15.55 |
| Metro Areas | |||
| Albuquerque Annual | $19,011 | $30,592 | $36,382 |
| Hourly | $9.14 | $14.71 | $17.49 |
| Farmington Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Las Cruces Annual | $21,716 | $26,832 | $29,390 |
| Hourly | $10.44 | $12.90 | $14.13 |
| Santa Fe Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Regions | |||
| Central Annual | $19,011 | $30,592 | $36,382 |
| Hourly | $9.14 | $14.71 | $17.49 |
| Eastern Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Northern Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Southwestern Annual | $21,716 | $26,832 | $29,390 |
| Hourly | $10.44 | $12.90 | $14.13 |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
For more detailed information about New Mexico wages visit the Occupational Employment Statistics program website.
Information displayed represents annual 2010 wages.
Click on the career cluster icon to see a plan of study that will help you complete your Next Step Plan. The Career Plan of Study is a Microsoft Excel document. Many occupations will fit into several career clusters.
New Mexico
2008 to 2018
In 2008 there were about 250 workers in this occupation in New Mexico. The Department of Workforce Solutions estimates that by 2018 this number will decrease by about -7 percent and an estmated 230 will be employed in this occupation. Compared to other occupations, employment growth in this occupation is declining. Job opportunities indicate few and keen competition, as there should be about 0 openings each year for workers in this occupation.
In the Table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas
| Area | Estimated Employment 2008 | Projected Employment 2018 | Annual Percent Change | Total Annual Average Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 250 | 230 | -0.70% | 0 |
| + Metro Areas | ||||
| Albuquerque | 60 | 50 | -1.15% | 0 |
| Farmington | 50 | 50 | 0.77% | 0 |
| Las Cruces | 90 | 90 | 0.34% | 0 |
| Santa Fe | - | - | - | - |
| + Regions | ||||
| Central | 60 | 50 | -1.15% | 0 |
| Eastern | - | - | - | - |
| Northern | 50 | 50 | 0.00% | 0 |
| Southwestern | 140 | 130 | -0.65% | 0 |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic usually need High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate).
| Education Level | Percentage |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) | 79% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 18% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades) | 2% |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 1% |
Information based on O*NET data and is the result of a national survey.
Use this list to find educational opportunities for this occupation. Contact the specific schools directly to find out application requirements and program availability.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| + Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Website:http://www.abcnm.org/Education/Apprenticeship.aspx | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Apprenticeship completers | Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Mon | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/montoya/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Sou | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/svc/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Wes | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/westside/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Wo | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/wtc/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | |
| + Los Alamos National Laboratory | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Apprenticeship completers | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | |
| + Sandia National Laboratories | ||
| Website:http://www.sandia.gov/mst/AMTTP/news_art.html | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Apprenticeship completers | Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | |
| + Sheet Metal Workers, JATC | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Apprenticeship completers | Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking | |
This list is updated once a year and is compiled from the NM Department of Higher Education and other sources.
No New Mexico occupational license is required.
| Applied Mathematics | Applied Technology | Listening | Locating Information | Obersvation | Reading for Information | Teamwork | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
For further information on WorkKeys please visit the ACT-WorkKeys website. Skill levels are provided for individuals who know thier scores.
| Industry | Percent of Employed |
|---|---|
| Administrative and Support Services | * |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | * |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | * |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 45.3% |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | * |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 12.5% |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | * |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 9.9% |
| Self-Employed Workers, Primary Job | 0.4% |
| Wood Product Manufacturing | * |
* Data is confidential.
Source: NMDWS, Economic Research and Analysis Bureau
- Adjuster
- Angle Shear Operator
- Angle Shear Set Up Operator
- Arbor Press Operator
- Assembler
- Automobile Bumper Straightener
- Bander Operator
- Banding Machine Operator
- Bench Shear Operator
- Bender Machine Operator
- Bending Machine Set Up Operator
- Bending Roll Hand
- Bending Roll Operator
- Beveler
- Billet Cutter
- Billet Shearer
- Blanker
- Bliss Press Operator
- Body Press Operator
- Bolt Cutter
- Brake Machine Operator
- Brake Operator
- Brass Cutter
- Bullet Assembly Press Operator
- CNC Bender Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Bender Operator)
- CNC Break Press Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Break Press Opera
- CNC Punch Press Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Punch Press Opera
- Calender Roll Press Operator
- Can Cutter
- Center Punch Operator
- Clearance Cutter
- Clincher
- Clinching Machine Operator
- Coil Cutter
- Coil Shaper
- Cold Saw Operator
- Contour Band-Saw Operator, Vertical
- Corner Former
- Crimping Machine Operator
- Crimping Press Operator
- Cut Off Saw Set Up Operator
- Cut-Off Machine Operator
- Cut-Off Saw Operator, Metal
- Cut-Off Saw Tender, Metal
- Cutter
- Cutting and Creasing Press Operator
- Debridging Machine Operator
- Diamond Saw Operator
- Dicer Operator
- Die Cast Operator
- Die Cutter
- Die Set-Up Operator, Printed Circuit Boards
- Die Setter
- Dimpling Machine Operator
- Dinkey Press Operator
- Draw Press Operator
- Drawing Press Operator
- Duplicator Punch Operator
- Duplicator Punch Set Up Operator
- Equipment Technician
- Fabricator
- Filament Cutter
- Finish Saw Operator
- Flying Shear Operator
- Folder Machine Operator
- Folding Machine Operator
- Foot Press Operator
- Forming Press Operator
- Four Slide Machine Setter
- Four Slide Operator
- Friction Saw Operator
- Gasket Former
- Gasket Maker
- Grinder Operator
- Hack Saw Operator
- Hammer Mill Operator
- Hammer Operator
- Hoop Puncher
- Hot Dimpling Machine Operator
- Hot Punch Press Operator
- Hot Saw Operator
- Hot Stamp Operator
- Hydropress Operator
- Iron Bender
- Ironworker
- Ironworker-Machine Operator
- Jigsawyer
- Joggle Press Operator
- Key Cutter
- Kick Press Operator
- Kick Press Setter
- Knuckle Bender
- Last Sawyer
- Link Cutter
- Machine Operator
- Machine Operator Slitter Technician
- Machine Setter
- Machining Associate
- Machinist
- Manufacturing Assistant
- Manufacturing Associate
- Manufacturing Operator
- Metal Bending Machine Operator
- Metal Bonding Press Operator
- Metal Cutter
- Metal Punch Press Operator
- Metal Shaping Machine Operator
- Metal Slitter
- Metal Stamper
- Metal Stamping Machine Operator
- Metal Trimmer
- Metal Tube Cutter
- Metallic Yarn Slitting Machine Operator
- Mold Technician
- Mottle Lay Up Operator
- Nibbler Operator
- Notcher
- Notching Machine Operator
- Nut Blanker Operator
- Offstacker
- Operator
- Perforator Operator
- Pipe Bender
- Pipe Stem Sawyer
- Planisher
- Planishing Press Operator
- Plastic Cutter
- Plastic Press Operator
- Plate Slitter and Inspector
- Pneumatic Press Hand
- Power Brake Operator
- Power Press Tender
- Press Brake Operator
- Press Machine Operator
- Press Operator
- Press Operator, Heavy Duty
- Press Operator, Pierce and Shave
- Press Setter
- Profile Saw Operator
- Profile Saw Setup Operator
- Profile Trimmer
- Punch Machine Hand
- Punch Machine Operator
- Punch Operator
- Punch Press Operator
- Punch Press Setter
- Punch-Press Operator
- Punch-Press Operator, Automatic
- Rivet Hole Puncher
- Rolling Mill Operator
- Rotary Shear Operator
- Saw Inspector Operator
- Saw Operator
- Sawyer
- Scrap Cutter
- Scraper
- Screw Cutter
- Screwmaker, Automatic
- Set-Up Operator
- Shear Operator
- Shear Setter
- Shearman
- Sheeter Operator
- Sheetmetal Worker
- Sinter Press Operator
- Sintering Press Operator
- Sizing Machine Operator
- Slasher
- Slat Twister
- Slitter Operator
- Slitter Service and Setter
- Slitting Machine Operator
- Snap Shearer
- Spring Coiling Machine Setter
- Spring Tester
- Square Cutter
- Stamp Press Operator
- Stamping Press Operator
- Steel Cutter
- Straight Line Press Setter
- Straightener
- Straightening Machine Operator
- Straightening Press Operator
- Stretcher Operator
- Strip Metal Punch and Straightener Operator
- Swage Tender
- Swaging Machine Adjuster
- Sweep Press Operator
- Table Saw Operator
- Tablet Machine Operator
- Tension Line Operator
- Terminal Press Operator
- Thermal Cutting Machine Operator
- Tin Cutter
- Toggle Press Operator
- Trim Machine Adjuster
- Trimmer Machine Operator
- Trimmer, Printed Circuit Board Panels
- Trimming Machine Operator
- Tube Bender, Brass-Wind Instruments
- Tube Cutter
- Tubing Machine Tender
- Turret Punch-Press Operator
- Turret Punch-Press Operator, Tape Control
- Twisting Machine Operator
- Under Cutter
- Under Cutting Machine Operator
- Vertical Punch Operator
- Welder
- Wheel Press Operator
- Wheel Presser
- Wire Coiner
- Wire Cutter
- Wire Machine Cutter
- Wire Sawyer
- Wire Straightener
- Wire Turning Machine Operator
- Zipper Cutter
- Zipper Trimmer