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.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make 

decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2023, more than basic people skills were required for 14.6 

percent of cutting, punching, and press machine setters, 

operators, and tenders, metal and plastic, and basic people 

skills were required for 85.4 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, 

metal and plastic with cognitive and mental requirements, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Pace: Pause control 22.8 77.2

Interaction with general public <15 >85

Working around crowds <0.5 >99.5

Telework <0.5 >99.5

Work review: Supervising others 0.7 99.3

Work review: Presence of supervisor 96.1 3.9

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and 

experience requirements

The minimum level of formal 

education required, 

credentials necessary, on-thejob training, and prior work 

experience necessary for 

average performance in jobs.

In 2023, credentials were 

required for 14.1 percent of 

cutting, punching, and press 

machine setters, operators, 

and tenders, metal and 

plastic. Prior work experience 

was required for 33.7 percent 

and on-the-job training was 

required for 97.6 percent.

No minimum education was 

required for 44.5 percent of cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic and 

a high school diploma was required for 55.5 percent.
Occupational Requirements Survey ●www.bls.gov/ors ●orsinfo@bls.gov ●202.691.6199

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards or 

difficulties that are in the vicinity of where 

jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2023, greater than 99.5 percent of 

cutting, punching, and press machine 

setters, operators, and tenders, metal and 

plastic were not exposed to extreme cold, 

and 90.4 percent were not exposed to 

extreme heat. Wetness was not present for 

81.1 percent, 97.4 percent were not 

exposed to heavy vibrations, and 94.6 

percent were not exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities 

required to perform tasks in jobs. 

The presence and, in some cases, 

duration of these activities are 

published.

In 2023, reaching at or below the 

shoulder was required for 84.9 

percent of cutting, punching, and 

press machine setters, operators, 

and tenders, metal and plastic and 

was not required for 15.1 percent.

Performing work in low postures was 

required for 68.8 percent of cutting, 

punching, and press machine setters, 

operators, and tenders, metal and 

plastic and was not required for 31.2 

percent.

On average, cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic spent 11.7 percent 

of the workday sitting and 88.3 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, 

metal and plastic with physical demands, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Choice of sitting or standing <5 >95

Driving 25.9 74.1

Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs 9.0 91.0

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey