Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.

Lathe and Turning Machine Operators

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Production and Processing

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Mechanical

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Education and Training

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Administration and Management

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

English Language

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Mathematics

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Administrative

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Personnel and Human Resources

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Design

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Building and Construction

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Economics and Accounting

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

Physics

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Law and Government

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Chemistry

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Therapy and Counseling

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Psychology

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

Telecommunications

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Transportation

Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Geography

Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

Foreign Language

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Communications and Media

Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Fine Arts

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Biology

Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

Sociology and Anthropology

Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.

Philosophy and Theology

Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

Food Production

Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.

History and Archeology

Lathe Operators

CNC Lathe Machine Operators

Lead Machine Operators

Manual Lathe Operators

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Operations Monitoring

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Operation and Control

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Quality Control Analysis

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Monitoring

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Reading Comprehension

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Listening

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Equipment Maintenance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Judgment and Decision Making

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Speaking

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Time Management

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Critical Thinking

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Troubleshooting

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Complex Problem Solving

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Coordination

Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Equipment Selection

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Social Perceptiveness

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Repairing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Writing

Instructing

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Systems Analysis

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Systems Evaluation

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Active Learning

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Learning Strategies

Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Management of Personnel Resources

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Service Orientation

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Persuasion

Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work.

Management of Material Resources

Writing computer programs for various purposes.

Programming

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Negotiation

Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

Installation

Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.

Management of Financial Resources

Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

Operations Analysis

Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.

Technology Design

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Science

lathe-and-turning-machine-tool-setter-operator-or-tender-metal-and-plastic

Advanced Manufacturing uses cutting-edge technology to design, build, and improve products. In this area, you'll focus on making production faster, safer, and more efficient by using innovations like robotics, AI, and automation.

Advanced Manufacturing

Careers in Construction involve designing, building, and managing projects that shape our communities. From architecture to skilled trades, you'll create safe, sustainable spaces for the future.

Construction

Supply Chain and Transportation careers keep goods moving from factories to homes around the world. Whether managing logistics or working with transportation systems, you’ll play a key role in global business and community well-being.

Supply Chain & Transportation

Arts, Entertainment, & Design brings creativity to life through visual arts, music, film, fashion, interior design, and more. Whether performing, designing, or producing, you’ll find ways to inspire, inform, and entertain others.

Arts, Entertainment, & Design

Hospitality, Events, & Tourism is all about creating great experiences for guests, travelers, and event-goers. From food and lodging to travel and event planning, you'll be focusing on service, organization, and fun.

Hospitality, Events, & Tourism

Financial Services careers focus on managing money, offering advice, and supporting individuals and businesses. With roles in banking, accounting, and real estate, you'll help keep the economy strong.

Financial Services

Education careers help people learn and grow at every stage of life, from preschool through adulthood. Whether teaching, designing programs, or offering support, you'll be focusing on building skills, knowledge, and confidence in others.

Education

Healthcare and Human Services careers focus on keeping people and communities healthy and supported. You'll help improve lives and well-being through medicine, mental health, or social work.

Healthcare & Human Services

Public Service and Safety careers focus on helping communities stay safe, strong, and fair. From government roles to law enforcement and the military, you'll be making a positive difference in society.

Public Service & Safety

Careers in Agriculture focus on growing, producing, and distributing food and other resources using the latest technology and sustainable practices. You’ll also find opportunities in fields like regenerative farming, sustainable logging, and fisheries.

Agriculture

Careers in Energy & Natural Resources are about powering our world while protecting the environment. Whether working with renewable energy, conservation, or natural resources, you’ll help create a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Energy & Natural Resources

Digital Technology careers focus on building and protecting the digital tools we use every day, like AI, data systems, and cybersecurity. In these roles, you'll be leading innovation and solving tough challenges in a tech-driven world.

Digital Technology

Marketing and Sales careers are about understanding people’s needs and promoting products or ideas. Whether through digital marketing, brand building, or customer engagement, you’ll help businesses connect with their audiences.

Marketing & Sales

Careers in Management and Entrepreneurship involve leading businesses and helping them succeed. Whether you’re managing teams, optimizing operations, or launching your own company, you’ll build skills to adapt and grow in any industry.

Management & Entrepreneurship

This table shows the percentage of responses to a government survey asking what education level is needed in this career.

There are $current-jobs$ jobs in this career today. It is projected to have $future_jobs$ jobs in 5 years for a growth rate of $growth-rate$.

The growth rate is a national projection of how many job openings will exist in this career in the future as compared to today.

There are 20,441 jobs in this career today. It is projected to have 19,831 jobs in 5 years for a growth rate of -2.98%.

The growth rate is a national projection of how many job openings will exist in this career in the future as compared to today.

What do Lathe and Turning Machine Operators do?

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Your career insight details provide information on how a snapshot of your math and reading and writing skills aligns with the typical requirements of this career. Remember that this is only one of many elements that you should consider as you explore careers.

Education Level	Percentage
High school diploma or less	49.83%
Certificate	11.58%
Some college	28.86%
Associate degree	0.00%
Bachelor's degree	0.00%
Master's or professional degree	9.62%
Doctoral degree or more	0.10%

Lathe and Turning Machine Operators

What education level do Lathe and Turning Machine Operators have?

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