Metalworking and Forging Machine Operators

(NOC 9416)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Light metalworking machine operators use metalworking machines that shape and form sheet or other light metal into parts or products. They work for sheet metal products manufacturing companies, sheet metal shops and other light metal products manufacturing companies. Heavy metalworking machine operators use metalworking machines that shape and form steel or other heavy metal into parts or products. Forging machine operators use forging machines to form and shape metal into various shapes and sizes and impart desired strength, hardness or other characteristics. They work for structural steel fabrication, boiler and platework manufacturing companies, heavy machinery manufacturing companies and in the shipbuilding industry. Forging machine operators work in the metal products, machinery and transportation equipment manufacturing industries.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

  • Estimate 435 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1945 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$19.00

Median

$22.10

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$37,250

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Hourly Pay

$14.00

Minimum

$20.80

Median

$33.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,056

Minimum

$30,111

Median

$70,518

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Light metalworking machine operators use metalworking machines that shape and form sheet or other light metal into parts or products. They work for sheet metal products manufacturing companies, sheet metal shops and other light metal products manufacturing companies.

Heavy metalworking machine operators use metalworking machines that shape and form steel or other heavy metal into parts or products. Forging machine operators use forging machines to form and shape metal into various shapes and sizes and impart desired strength, hardness or other characteristics. They work for structural steel fabrication, boiler and platework manufacturing companies, heavy machinery manufacturing companies and in the shipbuilding industry. Forging machine operators work in the metal products, machinery and transportation equipment manufacturing industries.

Job duties

Metalworking machine operators:

  • Read specifications or follow spoken instructions.
  • Lay out, set up and use one or more light or heavy metalworking machines.
  • Use machines or equipment that weld, solder, bolt, screw or rivet metal parts together.
  • Check products for correct shapes, dimensions and other specifications.
  • Investigate problems and fix or make minor repairs.
  • May select and transport material to work area manually or using crane or hoist.
  • May document work completed.
  • May build staging or scaffolding as required for heavy metalworking jobs.
  • May clean or lubricate equipment and replace parts as required.

Forging machine operators:

  • Use gas or oil furnaces to heat metal to proper temperature before forging.
  • Place metal pieces in furnace using hand tongs or overhead cranes and remove from furnace when colour of metal indicates proper forging temperature, or load and unload furnace with automatic conveyor.
  • Position heated or cold metal pieces, on die of press or other forging machinery.
  • Use presses or other forging machines to perform hot or cold forging to shape or form metal.
  • Position and adjust dies on anvil of forging machinery using overhead cranes or other hoisting devices and hand tools.

Sample job titles

  • bending press operator
  • cold press operator
  • disk flange operator
  • drop hammer operator
  • electric arc cutter
  • forging press operator
  • metalworking machine operator
  • power brake operator
  • power press operator
  • punch press setter
  • roll operator
  • saw operator
  • shear setter
  • sheet metal roll operator

Skills

  • You should be responsible, alert, and in good physical health. Coordination, agility, and a mechanical ability are important. You must be accurate and pay attention to detail. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

  • High school may be necessary.
  • On-the-job training is provided.
  • Experience as a labourer or helper in the same company may be required.

Other considerations

  • Shiftwork is common in these jobs. There is little or no movement between operators of light and heavy metalworking machines.
  • Movement to structural metal fabricator or supervisory positions is possible with experience for metalworking machine operators.
  • Movement to blacksmith, die setting, or supervisory positions is possible with experience for forging machine operators.

By the numbers

Quick look

130

employed in 2016

96.3%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

7.4%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
92.6%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
44.5

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

83.2%

employed full-time

3.2%

self employed

27.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
72.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

34.6%

Halifax

$39,890 median annual income
23.1%

Annapolis Valley

$46,096 median annual income
19.2%

Southern

N/A
15.4%

North Shore

N/A
7.7%

Cape Breton

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

81.8%

Manufacturing

9.1%

Construction

9.1%

Wholesale trade

What is the age of Employment?

31.0%

45-54

27.0%

35-44

19.0%

25-34

15.0%

55-64

8.0%

65+

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

24.5%

45-54

20.8%

55-64

19.3%

35-44

16.5%

25-34

15.0%

15-24

Top levels of education

50.0%

High school

$37,147 median annual income
26.9%

Less than high school

$38,902 median annual income
19.2%

College Diploma

N/A
7.7%

Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

38.1%

High school

$28,505 median annual income
23.3%

Less than high school

$19,224 median annual income
19.9%

College Diploma

$38,781 median annual income
12.2%

Trade Certification

$43,975 median annual income
4.5%

Bachelor

$39,715 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.