Metal Furnace Operator
Run furnaces that melt and refine metal in mills and foundries.
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Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Forging Machine Operator
Also called: Forge Operator · Hammer Operator · Forging Press Operator · Upsetter Operator
What forging 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 a forging machine operator do?
Forging machine setters, operators and tenders, metal and plastic, set up, operate or tend forging machines to taper, shape or form metal or plastic parts. The median pay is $49,030 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -17.2% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$49,030$23.57/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-17.2%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year600Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs8,900Employment, 2025
What forging machine operators do
Forging operators shape metal under force. They heat metal billets, load them into presses or hammers, operate the machines to form parts like crankshafts and tools, trim flash and inspect parts.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects a steep decline.
Typical duties
- Set up forging dies
- Heat billets
- Operate presses and hammers
- Trim flash
- Inspect parts
- Maintain dies
- Record production
Work environment and schedule
Operators work in hot, loud forge shops.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts.
A day in the life
- Check the furnace.
- Install dies.
- Forge parts.
- Check part dimensions.
See a full day in the life of a forging machine operator →
Forging Machine Operator salary
Half of forging machine operators earned more than $49,030 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,800 for the lowest 10% to $68,720 for the top 10%.
Full forging machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a forging machine operator
- Finish high school
- Get hired
- Learn the forge
- Learn setups
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a forging machine operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Press operation
- Die setup
- Heating metal
- Trimming
- Inspection
People skills
- Safety focus
- Stamina
- Teamwork
- Attention to detail
All forging machine operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong parts that matter
- No degree needed
- Industrial pay
- Skilled craft
Cons
- Steep decline
- Extreme heat and noise
- Heavy work
- Injury risk
Certifications and licenses
- Forging training: Employer.
- Crane certification: Helpful.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- NIMS credential: Helpful.
Career path
- Helper: Entry.
- Operator: Forge.
- Setup Operator: Setups.
- Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Forging Machine Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as heat a billet to forging temperature and set up closed forging dies, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
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Run presses that cut, punch and bend metal and plastic parts.
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Tool and Die Maker
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Heat Treating Operator
Heat and cool metal parts to make them harder, tougher or easier to machine.
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Compare: Forging Machine Operator vs. Metal Furnace Operator · Forging Machine Operator vs. Press Operator · Forging Machine Operator vs. Tool and Die Maker · Forging Machine Operator vs. Heat Treating Operator
Forging Machine Operator FAQ
Is forging dangerous?
It has hazards; strict safety rules apply.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects a steep decline.
Do I need a degree?
No.
How much does a forging machine operator make?
The median annual wage for forging machine operators was $49,030 ($23.57 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,800 and the highest 10% earned more than $68,720.
How long does it take to become a forging 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 a forging 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 forging machine operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-4022 (Forging 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 Forging 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.