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Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Extruding Machine Operator
Also called: Extrusion Operator · Plastic Extruder Operator · Drawing Machine Operator · Extrusion Technician
What extruding machine operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an extruding machine operator do?
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 and other shapes. The median pay is $47,720 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +0.7% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$47,720$22.94/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+0.7%2025–35, little or no change
- Openings per year5,400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs60,900Employment, 2025
What extruding machine operators do
Extruding machine operators make continuous shapes. They set up extruders and dies, control heat, pressure and speed, monitor product dimensions, cut to length and fix problems like bubbles or uneven walls.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects little change.
Typical duties
- Set up extruders
- Install dies
- Control heat and speed
- Measure product
- Cut to length
- Fix defects
- Record production
Work environment and schedule
Operators work in plastics and metal plants.
Schedule: Full time, often 12-hour shifts.
A day in the life
- Check the extruder.
- Bring zones to temperature.
- Start the line.
- Measure wall thickness.
See a full day in the life of an extruding machine operator →
Extruding Machine Operator salary
Half of extruding machine operators earned more than $47,720 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,700 for the lowest 10% to $63,710 for the top 10%.
Full extruding machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an extruding machine operator
- Finish high school
- Get hired
- Learn the line
- Learn setups
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an extruding machine operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Extruder setup
- Die changes
- Temperature control
- Measurement
- Troubleshooting
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Reliability
- Teamwork
All extruding machine operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No degree needed
- Steady work
- Skills grow
- Overtime
Cons
- Heat
- Noise
- Shift work
- Repetitive
Certifications and licenses
- Extrusion training: Employer or SPE.
- NIMS certification: Machining credentials.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- Forklift certification: Helpful.
Career path
- Operator: Entry.
- Setup Technician: Setups.
- Lead Operator: Lead.
- Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Extruding Machine Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as start up an extrusion line and measure extruded product, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Extruding Machine Operator vs. Molding Machine Operator · Extruding Machine Operator vs. Forming Machine Operator · Extruding Machine Operator vs. Fiber Extruding Machine Operator · Extruding Machine Operator vs. CNC Operator
Extruding Machine Operator FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job growing?
BLS projects little change.
Are shifts long?
Often 12 hours.
How much does an extruding machine operator make?
The median annual wage for extruding machine operators was $47,720 ($22.94 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,700 and the highest 10% earned more than $63,710.
How long does it take to become an extruding machine operator?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be an extruding machine operator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More extruding machine operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-4021 (Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.