Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Career Overview

Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.

Also Known As

Cutter
Cutter Operator
Machine Operator
Paper Cutter

Alternate Job Titles

Abrasive Sawyer
Almond Cutting Machine Tender
Angle Shearer
Apple Peeler Operator
Applique Cutter
Arch Cushion Skiving Machine Operator
Automatic Glass Cutting Machine Operator
Automatic Outsole Cutter
Automatic Steel Tie Adjuster
Bag Cutter
Balloon Maker
Band Cutter
Band Saw Operator
Band Sawing Machine Operator
Bead Trimmer

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
Review work orders, blueprints, specifications, or job samples to determine components, settings, and adjustments for cutting and slicing machines.
Examine, measure, and weigh materials or products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring devices, such as rulers, micrometers, or scales.
Press buttons, pull levers, or depress pedals to start and operate cutting and slicing machines.
Start machines to verify setups, and make any necessary adjustments.
Feed stock into cutting machines, onto conveyors, or under cutting blades, by threading, guiding, pushing, or turning handwheels.
Monitor operation of cutting or slicing machines to detect malfunctions or to determine whether supplies need replenishment.

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Near Vision
Finger Dexterity
Control Precision
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Manual Dexterity
Problem Sensitivity
Visualization
Multilimb Coordination
Reaction Time
Oral Comprehension

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cautiousness
Stress Tolerance
Integrity

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

Support
Independence
Relationships
Working Conditions
Achievement

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Word
SAP software

Tools & Equipment

Automatic chucking machines
Benchtop grinders
Boring mills
Cleaning brushes
Cleaning scrapers
Computer numerically controlled CNC cutting machines
Conveyor belt systems
Cutoff saws
Digital bench scales
Digital calipers
Digital micrometers
Flat cold chisels
Floor-mounted drill presses
Food slicing machines
Forklifts

Work Environment

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Spend Time Standing
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$34,890
Median	$45,700
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$60,430

Workers Employed Nationally: 47,540