O*NET-SOC 51-4021.00

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 2 – Some preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Operations Monitoring2.B.3.g3.507/2015
Operation and Control2.B.3.h3.3807/2015
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a3.1207/2015
Judgment and Decision Making2.B.4.e3.1207/2015
Monitoring2.A.2.d3.1207/2015
Quality Control Analysis2.B.3.m3.1207/2015

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Control Precision1.A.2.b.13.7507/2015
Manual Dexterity1.A.2.a.23.6207/2015
Multilimb Coordination1.A.2.b.23.6207/2015
Reaction Time1.A.2.c.13.6207/2015
Near Vision1.A.4.a.13.3807/2015
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.33.3807/2015

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Measure and examine extruded products to locate defects and to check for conformance to specifications, adjusting controls as necessary to alter products.Core6707/2015
Determine setup procedures and select machine dies and parts, according to specifications.Core6707/2015
Start machines and set controls to regulate vacuum, air pressure, sizing rings, and temperature, and to synchronize speed of extrusion.Core6707/2015
Reel extruded products into rolls of specified lengths and weights.Core6707/2015
Install dies, machine screws, and sizing rings on machines that extrude thermoplastic or metal materials.Core6707/2015

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Realistic6.6911/2023
Conventional4.3111/2023
Investigative2.2311/2023
Artistic1.4311/2023
Social1.0911/2023
Enterprising1.011/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 2

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.