Declining
Manufacturing
Metal processing operator
#42Declining
Key facts
−6.4%jobs, 2025 to 2035
United StatesThis job is declining in the United States. AI exposure: very low according to the ILO, low according to the BLS. Employment change in the United States by 2035: −6.4% (BLS). Future-proof jobs use similar skills: see "What next?".
The job
Metal processing plant operators (ISCO 8121). Metal processing plant operators monitor, operate, adjust and maintain single-function process machinery and equipment to process and convert mineral ores and refine, harden, roll and extrude metals.
Page built from official classifications (ILO, ESCO); figures cover all the jobs grouped here.
119 job titles linked to this page
Titles from the European ESCO classification. They are also used for search.
- annealing kiln operator
- annealing kiln worker
- annealing operator
- box spring maker
- caster
- casting machine operator
- clock spring maker
- coil spring maker
- coiler
- cold extrusion machine operator
- cold extrusion press operator
- compression spring maker
- draw machine operative
- draw machine operator
- draw machine technician
- extension spring maker
- extruder machine operator
- extruder machine setter
- extruder machine setting operative
- extruder machine tender
- extruder machine tendering operator
- extruder operating apprentice
- extruder operating technician
- extruder operative
- extruder operator
- extruder tender
- extruder tender operative
- extruding machine operator
- extruding machine technician
- extrusion machine operative
- extrusion machine operator
- extrusion machine setter
- extrusion machine tender
- extrusion machine worker
- extrusion operator
- extrusion press operator
- extrusion press technician
- forming machine operative
- forming machine technician
- foundry operator
- foundry process operator
- foundry worker
- foundryman
- grinder mill operative
- grinder mill operator
- hammer mill operative
- hammer mill operator
- hammer mill technician
- heat treatment operator
- hot extrusion machine operator
- hot extrusion press operator
- ladleman
- ladleperson
- leaf spring maker
- metal annealer
- metal annealing operative
- metal annealing process operative
- metal annealing process worker
- metal annealing worker
- metal caster
- metal drawing machine operative
- metal drawing machine operator
- metal drawing machine technician
- metal extrusion machine operator
- metal molder
- metal moulder
- metal rolling mill operative
- metal rolling mill operator
- metal rolling mill technician
- mold casting worker
- molding and casting worker m,f,n)
- mould casting worker
- moulding and casting worker m,f,n)
- plastic extrusion machine operator
- plastic extrusion operator
- pourer and caster
- powder mill operative
- powder mill operator
- rolling mill control operator
- spring assembler
- spring assembling operator
- spring maker
- spring making machine operative
- spring making machine operator
- spring making machine setter
- spring making machine tender
- spring setter
- spring setting operator
- springer
- steel mill operative
- steel rolling mill technician
- stopper grinder
- tension spring maker
- torsion spring maker
- wire bender
- wire bending operator
- wire coiler spring maker
- wire coiler spring maker operative
- wire coiler spring maker operator
- wire coiler spring maker setter
- wire coiler spring maker tender setter
- wire coiler spring making operative
- wire drawer
- wire mesh knitter
- wire mesh operator
- wire preparation weaving operative
- wire preparation weaving operator
- wire weaving loom operative
- wire weaving loom operator
- wire weaving machine operator
- wire weaving operative
- wire weaving operator
- wire winding machine operative
- wire winding machine operator
- wire worker
- wire worker apprentice
- wiredrawing machine tender
- wiredrawing setter
- wirer drawer machine operator
What next?
Future-proof jobs that draw on skills close to this one. They are leads to explore, not an assessment of your profile.
- ChangingIndustrial maintenance technician
- ChangingBoiler operator
- ChangingQuality inspector
Indicative matches: at launch they will come from the skills listed in official occupational directories.
Gauges
Risk 4/5 · High
AI exposureLowBLS AI exposure category "low" (2026), higher than the ILO 2025 index (very low)
Employment outlookSharp declineBLS, 2025-2035 projections (Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic; Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic; Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders (+4))
Hiring difficultyNot availableNo US indicator measures hiring difficulty job by job
PayModestBLS, 2025 median annual wage: $49,645
EntryQuickBLS, typical education needed for entry
No US indicator measures hiring difficulty job by job: this gauge stays empty. How countries are compared
Sources
- AI exposure categories and employment projections, 2025-2035 (XLSX file)Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States · August 2026 · official statistics
- Generative AI and Jobs: a refined global index of occupational exposureInternational Labour Organization and NASK · May 2025 · large survey
- ESCO, European classification of skills, competences, qualifications and occupations (job titles and O*NET crosswalk)European Commission · version 1.2 · official statistics
- Jobs in 2030: projections by occupational family (summary table)Dares and France Stratégie · March 2022 · official statistics
- Labour needs survey (BMO) 2026France Travail · 2026 · large survey
- EURES report on labour shortages and surpluses 2025, annexEuropean Labour Authority · June 2026 · official statistics
Checked on 27 October 2026.