"My day begins with safety checks, reviewing work orders, and finalizing blueprints. It then moves on
to calibrating machines and mechanisms, monitoring the drilling process, and moving materials, all while ensuring the team's safety.

The work we do is cerebral just as much as it is physical because it requires many compliance checkpoints and constant communication with the team. It's the people I work with that make it a rewarding job just as much as the product we produce."

Interested in this occupation? Download the job flyer here!

Job Description

SOC Code: 41-4032
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.*

*Source: This information is based on O*NET™ data. O*NET is a trademark registered to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.

Top Job Skills:

• Record keeping
• Review blueprints
• Detect malfunctions
• Mount materials
• Assemble/align parts/workpieces

General Work Activities 

• Interacting With Others
  • Signal others to coordinate
    work activities
• Information Input
  • Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications
  • Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements
  • Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements
  • Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions
• Work Output
  • Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references
  • Replace worn equipment components
  • Set equipment controls to meet cutting specifications
  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate coolant flow

Source: SC Works Online Services (SCWOS)

*All data is factual, but names, Images, and quotations have been adapted to protect the Identity of employees and businesses.

Job Statistics

 

 

Examples of Workforce Areas with Job Openings

• Greenville
• Upstate
• Upper Savannah
• Pee Dee
• Lower Savannah
• Santee-Lynches

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area.

Examples of Employers with Job Openings

• Berry Global, Inc.
• BAE Systems

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area

Related Occupations

• Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
• Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

NOTE: All data based on state averages. Information may vary depending on region, experience, and specific employment situation. Last Updated: 2025

Learn More with SCWOS

SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) is the state’s largest job database and provides all of South Carolina's job postings from all major sites, including Monster and Career Builder, in one resource. SCWOS has thousands of positions listed by employers all over the state. To access SCWOS, visit jobs.scworks.org.

Find in-depth breakdowns of occupational statistics such as necessary job certifications, job skills and abilities, current job openings, overview of general work activities, and more by visiting O*NET.org.