Also called: Extruder Operator, Blown Film Operator, Pipe Extrusion Operator
Runs machines that melt plastic pellets and push them through dies to make pipe, film, sheet, window frames and tubing.
You load pellets into the hopper, bring the barrel up to temperature, and pull the first hot plastic pipe through the cooling tank. You measure wall thickness, adjust speeds, and keep it running for 12 hours. Blown-film lines make giant bubbles of plastic several stories tall.
Estimated from BLS extruding, forming and pressing machine operators.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma; trained on the job.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Shrinking (about -3% over 10 years). Extruding and forming machine operators overall.
Medium risk for 10 years. Extrusion lines are automated, but setups, die changes and quality checks still need operators.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply at pipe, film and sheet plants or through a staffing agency; new hires are trained on the job
Classes: Chemistry, Shop class.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-9041.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.