How much does a cutting operator make?

In the US, experience, useful skills, and credentials can affect pay. It also differs by factory industry and location, and jobs with more complex setups or responsibility may pay more.

Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material. Excludes “Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic” (51-4031), “Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders” (51-6062), and “Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders” (51-7040).

What's a typical day like?

They read a work order, set blade position and speed, feed in paper, food, glass, or other material, and watch the machine cut. They measure pieces for accuracy, adjust settings if needed, then stack and sort the finished material.

In the US, a high-school diploma or GED is common, though some jobs accept less schooling. Most learn on the job, with training ranging from a few days to a year; college is usually not needed.

High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.

In the US, workers under 18 cannot legally operate powered food slicers or meat grinders in non-farm jobs.