Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Production
Rolling orders, blueprints, and mill schedules dictate the sequence, dimensions, and temper before the stands are set. Distance between rolls, guides, and stops is set to spec, and draft space and roll speed are calculated for each stand so sheet or strip comes out the right thickness and temper. Once the mill is running, cycles are watched for jams; dials and controls are used to change speeds, reduce thickness, reshape a piece, or clear a defect. Raw stock and finished product are measured and inspected against the order. Suits people who like planning a rolling sequence from drawings, then watching a mill and correcting it in real time.
Typical education: High School Diploma or GED
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$50'140
Median Wage Market Position
$50'140
What you might do
- Run mills that flatten steel or plastic
- Space rolls, guides, meters, and stops
- Monitor mill cycles for jams and defects
- Correct setups to thin stock or fix flaws
- Inspect raw stock and finished plate or strip
- Work out roll speed for each stand
Skills that matter
- Watching mills for jams and defects
- Adjusting roll gaps to specified thickness
- Measuring strip against the rolling order
- Following mill schedules and blueprints
- Working out draft space and roll speed
- Passing setup changes to others on the mill
AI & the future of this role
Continuous rolling lines are strong candidates for tighter automation of monitoring and speed control. Setup for new gauges, coil handling, and on-the-spot quality calls when material drifts still favor experienced operators.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details