Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (SOC 51-4032) earn a median $49,080 a year ($23.60 an hour) in the United States, with 4,680 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Virginia.
What drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do
Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders produce holes in metal or plastic parts, using drilling and boring machines, and they may also ream, countersink, or mill. Before starting, the worker studies the job order or blueprint to find hole locations, sizes, and the sequence of operations, then selects tooling and clamps the workpiece. Setup includes finding reference points on the part, such as an edge or a hole center, and using dial indicators to confirm that the work is square to the machine's table. During the run the operator lowers the tool, engages the automatic feed where available, and watches the cut and replaces worn cutting tools with wrenches. Calipers, micrometers, and gauges verify that the finished holes are the right diameter and in the right place. Cutting speeds, feed rates, and depths of cut are chosen from the machining instructions or from knowledge of metal properties. Machinists, who work on a wider range of machines, are classified separately.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, a high school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education reported by workers in this occupation.
Also called: Automatic Driller and Reamer, Automatic Drilling Machine Operator, Barrel Driller, Billet Driller, Bore Mill Operator.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $17.45 | $20.05 | $23.60 | $27.85 | $32.89 | $24.91 | 4,680 |
| Annual | $36,300 | $41,710 | $49,080 | $57,940 | $68,410 | $51,810 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Virginia | Hourly | $19.77 | $20.95 | $43.46 | $43.46 | $43.46 | $34.92 | 100 | 0.02 | 0.80 |
| Annual | $41,120 | $43,570 | $90,390 | $90,390 | $90,390 | $72,620 | ||||
| Massachusetts | Hourly | $22.17 | $28.11 | $37.39 | $38.81 | $40.83 | $33.70 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.58 |
| Annual | $46,110 | $58,460 | $77,780 | $80,710 | $84,930 | $70,100 | ||||
| Idaho | Hourly | $21.68 | $27.52 | $33.46 | $39.31 | $44.61 | $32.17 | 70 | 0.08 | 2.78 |
| Annual | $45,090 | $57,240 | $69,590 | $81,760 | $92,790 | $66,920 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $18.22 | $22.44 | $31.90 | $32.59 | $35.23 | $28.82 | 80 | 0.01 | 0.27 |
| Annual | $37,890 | $46,670 | $66,340 | $67,780 | $73,280 | $59,950 | ||||
| Michigan | Hourly | $17.56 | $20.85 | $29.04 | $31.17 | $34.84 | $26.46 | 190 | 0.04 | 1.42 |
| Annual | $36,530 | $43,370 | $60,410 | $64,830 | $72,460 | $55,030 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $18.04 | $21.79 | $23.60 | $27.34 | $31.85 | $25.22 | 690 | 0.04 | 1.26 |
| Annual | $37,520 | $45,330 | $49,080 | $56,870 | $66,250 | $52,460 | ||||
| Tennessee | Hourly | $19.17 | $20.05 | $21.67 | $22.27 | $30.81 | $22.16 | 400 | 0.12 | 4.07 |
| Annual | $39,880 | $41,710 | $45,070 | $46,320 | $64,070 | $46,090 | ||||
| Illinois | Hourly | $15.60 | $17.36 | $27.27 | $27.27 | $27.82 | $24.58 | 390 | 0.06 | 2.14 |
| Annual | $32,460 | $36,100 | $56,720 | $56,720 | $57,860 | $51,120 | ||||
| Indiana | Hourly | $14.08 | $15.97 | $18.80 | $24.12 | $28.90 | $20.68 | 300 | 0.09 | 3.13 |
| Annual | $29,280 | $33,220 | $39,110 | $50,180 | $60,120 | $43,010 | ||||
| Oklahoma | Hourly | $12.93 | $17.95 | $26.55 | $29.65 | $29.66 | $24.77 | 250 | 0.15 | 4.94 |
| Annual | $26,880 | $37,340 | $55,230 | $61,670 | $61,680 | $51,520 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Hourly | $25.10 | $30.72 | $38.04 | $40.83 | $40.83 | $35.24 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.72 |
| Annual | $52,210 | $63,900 | $79,120 | $84,930 | $84,930 | $73,300 | ||||
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | Hourly | $18.86 | $22.23 | $30.44 | $31.17 | $36.23 | $27.25 | 80 | 0.04 | 1.46 |
| Annual | $39,240 | $46,230 | $63,320 | $64,840 | $75,360 | $56,670 | ||||
| Tulsa, OK | Hourly | $12.93 | $23.26 | $27.99 | $29.65 | $29.65 | $25.28 | 180 | 0.40 | 13.31 |
| Annual | $26,880 | $48,390 | $58,210 | $61,670 | $61,680 | $52,590 | ||||
| Peoria, IL | Hourly | $27.33 | $27.33 | $27.33 | $27.82 | $27.98 | $27.46 | 70 | 0.40 | 13.18 |
| Annual | $56,840 | $56,840 | $56,840 | $57,860 | $58,190 | $57,120 | ||||
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | Hourly | $19.76 | $19.76 | $25.13 | $25.65 | $29.62 | $24.34 | 70 | 0.07 | 2.14 |
| Annual | $41,100 | $41,100 | $52,260 | $53,350 | $61,610 | $50,630 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $18.01 | $21.30 | $23.60 | $27.31 | $37.88 | $25.23 | 400 | 0.06 | 2.09 |
| Annual | $37,460 | $44,290 | $49,080 | $56,790 | $78,790 | $52,480 | ||||
| Tulsa, OK | Hourly | $12.93 | $23.26 | $27.99 | $29.65 | $29.65 | $25.28 | 180 | 0.40 | 13.31 |
| Annual | $26,880 | $48,390 | $58,210 | $61,670 | $61,680 | $52,590 | ||||
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Hourly | $23.06 | $23.55 | $24.48 | $29.61 | $37.44 | $27.74 | 130 | 0.11 | 3.69 |
| Annual | $47,960 | $48,970 | $50,920 | $61,590 | $77,870 | $57,710 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $15.00 | $17.00 | $17.14 | $21.59 | $29.96 | $19.91 | 110 | 0.02 | 0.81 |
| Annual | $31,200 | $35,360 | $35,660 | $44,920 | $62,310 | $41,420 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | $16.17 | $16.17 | $22.34 | $25.02 | $28.25 | $21.33 | 90 | 0.03 | 0.89 |
| Annual | $33,630 | $33,630 | $46,460 | $52,040 | $58,750 | $44,360 | ||||
Top industries employing drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing employ 13.2% of drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic nationally (620 jobs) at a median $49,080 a year ($23.60 an hour), followed by Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) (10.7%) and Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) (10.5%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing NAICS 332700 | 620 | 13.2% | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) NAICS 3330A1 | 500 | 10.7% | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) NAICS 3320A2 | 490 | 10.5% | $57,000 | $27.41 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing NAICS 334400 | 460 | 9.8% | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing NAICS 336300 | 390 | 8.3% | $45,070 | $21.67 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (4,680). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $38,580 for drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in May 2021 and $49,080 in May 2025, with employment of 6,810 and 4,680.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $38,580 | $18.55 | 6,810 |
| May 2022 | $42,450 | $20.41 | 6,470 |
| May 2023 | $44,620 | $21.45 | 5,740 |
| May 2024 | $46,630 | $22.42 | 5,310 |
| May 2025 | $49,080 | $23.60 | 4,680 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
32 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia profile | $43.46 | $90,390 | $41,120 | $90,390 | 100 | 0.02 | 0.80 |
| 2 | Massachusetts profile | $37.39 | $77,780 | $46,110 | $84,930 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.58 |
| 3 | Idaho profile | $33.46 | $69,590 | $45,090 | $92,790 | 70 | 0.08 | 2.78 |
| 4 | Florida profile | $31.90 | $66,340 | $37,890 | $73,280 | 80 | 0.01 | 0.27 |
| 5 | Michigan profile | $29.04 | $60,410 | $36,530 | $72,460 | 190 | 0.04 | 1.42 |
| 6 | New Hampshire profile | $28.75 | $59,800 | $44,060 | $68,400 | 40 | 0.06 | 2.07 |
| 7 | Illinois profile | $27.27 | $56,720 | $32,460 | $57,860 | 390 | 0.06 | 2.14 |
| 8 | New York profile | $26.59 | $55,310 | $46,490 | $65,610 | 70 | 0.01 | 0.23 |
| 9 | Oklahoma profile | $26.55 | $55,230 | $26,880 | $61,680 | 250 | 0.15 | 4.94 |
| 10 | Alabama profile | $25.54 | $53,110 | $41,220 | $53,200 | 140 | 0.07 | 2.24 |
| 11 | South Carolina profile | $25.02 | $52,040 | $37,040 | $68,410 | 70 | 0.03 | 1.02 |
| 12 | Kentucky profile | $24.87 | $51,740 | $46,460 | $53,350 | ** | ** | ** |
| 13 | Ohio profile | $24.84 | $51,670 | $41,100 | $64,370 | 200 | 0.04 | 1.20 |
| 14 | Colorado profile | $24.66 | $51,280 | $37,810 | $58,300 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.41 |
| 15 | Mississippi profile | $24.00 | $49,930 | $35,760 | $61,670 | 50 | 0.05 | 1.56 |
| 16 | Wisconsin profile | $23.87 | $49,640 | $37,610 | $72,850 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.67 |
| 17 | California profile | $23.60 | $49,080 | $37,520 | $66,250 | 690 | 0.04 | 1.26 |
| 18 | Arizona profile | $23.15 | $48,140 | $38,890 | $48,140 | 70 | 0.02 | 0.75 |
| 19 | New Jersey profile | $23.02 | $47,870 | $45,350 | $57,080 | 70 | 0.02 | 0.54 |
| 20 | Minnesota profile | $22.60 | $47,010 | $41,300 | $59,180 | 110 | 0.04 | 1.27 |
| 21 | North Carolina profile | $22.58 | $46,970 | $34,630 | $74,310 | 50 | 0.01 | 0.37 |
| 22 | Arkansas profile | $22.47 | $46,730 | $33,280 | $59,290 | 60 | 0.05 | 1.60 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania profile | $22.29 | $46,370 | $36,430 | $64,380 | 180 | 0.03 | 0.97 |
| 24 | Georgia profile | $22.25 | $46,270 | $36,780 | $60,020 | 80 | 0.02 | 0.53 |
| 25 | Tennessee profile | $21.67 | $45,070 | $39,880 | $64,070 | 400 | 0.12 | 4.07 |
| 26 | West Virginia profile | $21.66 | $45,060 | $37,960 | $54,080 | ** | ** | ** |
| 27 | Missouri profile | $21.63 | $44,990 | $36,300 | $102,870 | 80 | 0.03 | 0.88 |
| 28 | Texas profile | $21.32 | $44,350 | $33,630 | $56,090 | 220 | 0.02 | 0.52 |
| 29 | Iowa profile | $21.09 | $43,860 | $40,720 | $61,020 | 110 | 0.07 | 2.43 |
| 30 | Connecticut profile | $19.75 | $41,080 | $35,250 | $80,060 | 50 | 0.03 | 0.89 |
| 31 | Indiana profile | $18.80 | $39,110 | $29,280 | $60,120 | 300 | 0.09 | 3.13 |
| – | Oregon profile | * | * | * | * | 60 | 0.03 | 0.94 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (51-4030), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Production Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 51-4032 Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 51-4032, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 51-4032.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.