Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders work in a specialized production role that combines hands-on machine operation with attention to detail and mechanical awareness. Nationally, about 49,000 people work in this occupation, indicating a sizable workforce. The role typically requires at least a high school diploma or equivalent, making it accessible to individuals who want to enter the workforce without a lengthy postsecondary program. Key skills include fine motor ability, physical strength and stamina, mechanical skills, and being detail oriented, along with mathematics and critical and analytical thinking. Writing and reading, science, computers and information technology, and leadership skills also play a role. Although projected national employment growth is slightly negative, there are still an estimated 5,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing replacement and transition needs. For those interested in related paths, similar occupations include various types of machine setters, operators, and tenders, as well as print binding and finishing workers.
The national median annual salary for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders is $45,700. Pay levels vary across states and metro areas. Among the top states by opportunity score, Colorado shows a median salary of $51,750 and Washington $50,430, compared with $46,110 in California, $49,680 in New York, and $43,790 in Massachusetts. At the metro level, San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA reports a median of $51,750 and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ sits at $48,990. Other leading metros, such as Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV and Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA, offer median salaries of $46,600 and $44,870, respectively. These figures show that certain states and metros offer pay that is notably above the national median, while others are closer to or slightly below it, giving workers options to weigh earnings against other career factors.
National employment for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders stands at about 49,000, with a projected employment growth rate of -2.3%. This indicates a modest decline in overall employment levels over the projection period. Even with this negative growth rate, the occupation is expected to have about 5,000 annual openings. These openings can reflect retirements, workers changing occupations, and other forms of turnover. For someone considering this field, the combination of a shrinking total employment base and ongoing yearly openings suggests that opportunities will continue to exist, but competition and regional conditions may matter. In states and metros with higher opportunity scores, candidates may find a more favorable balance of employment levels, pay, and other factors. Individuals can also consider related occupations such as other machine setters, operators, and tenders, or print binding and finishing workers, as alternative paths.
Location can make a meaningful difference for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders. Among states, California has the highest opportunity score at 67.38, with a median salary of $46,110 and employment of 3,080. Massachusetts and New York follow closely with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78, respectively; New York also offers a higher median salary of $49,680. Colorado and Washington stand out for median salaries above $50,000 ($51,750 and $50,430) but have smaller employment bases of 700 and 760. All listed states share the same projected growth rate of -2.3%. At the metro level, New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ has the highest opportunity score at 77.27, with a median salary of $48,990 and employment of 1,490. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA combines a strong salary of $51,750 with an opportunity score of 68.75. Other notable metros include Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV; Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH; and Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA, each offering different mixes of salary, employment, and opportunity score.
The typical education for cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who want to start a technical, hands-on career without extensive formal postsecondary education. However, success in this field draws on a broad skill set. Fine motor skills and physical strength and stamina support the physical aspects of the work, while mechanical skills and being detail oriented are important for working with machines and processes. Mathematics, science, and critical and analytical thinking contribute to understanding measurements, processes, and problem solving. Writing and reading skills help with work instructions and documentation, and familiarity with computers and information technology supports interaction with modern equipment and systems. Leadership skills can be valuable for those who eventually coordinate tasks or guide coworkers. Together, this mix of education level and skills provides multiple entry points for students, career changers, and experienced workers.
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