Metal and Plastic Processing Workers


Health Science > Metal and Plastic Processing Workers > Employment & Outlook
Occupation is in demand.
110800
100379
Metal and Plastic Processing Workers

Metal and Plastic Processing Workers - Employment & Outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Employment

Major employers:

  • Plastics products manufacturers
  • Motor vehicle parts manufacturers
  • Machine shops and nut, bolt, and screw manufacturers
  • Metal products manufacturers
  • Metal forging and stamping companies
  • Temporary worker agencies

Outlook

Growth in this career is declining. The decline is tied to the decline in the manufacturing industry. More plastic and metal parts are manufactured overseas. Automation means that many parts can be made by machines and robots. Fewer workers are required.

Job openings will occur as current metal and plastic processing machine operators retire or switch to other careers. Job prospects are best for those with experience operating computer-controlled equipment. 

Metal and Plastic Processing Workers (CIS 100379)

Location Employment & Growth >>>> Annual openings



This occupation
All occupations


Illinois
44,640
Very large
&
1.9%
8.2%
>>>>
4,644
Very High
  Champaign Area
813
Very large
&
-3.1%
5.2%
>>>>
79
High
  Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area
1,321
Very large
&
4.9%
2.9%
>>>>
144
Very High
  Cook County
13,885
Very large
&
1.4%
9.2%
>>>>
1,431
Very High
  Decatur Area
545
Very large
&
0.6%
3.8%
>>>>
54
High
  DeKalb-Elgin-Aurora Area
3,268
Very large
&
3.5%
10.3%
>>>>
348
Very High
  Du Page County
4,794
Very large
&
-6.7%
8.8%
>>>>
437
Very High
  Edwardsville Area
1,280
Very large
&
-4.0%
12.4%
>>>>
122
High
  Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area
440
Very large
&
9.5%
-0.2%
>>>>
47
High
  Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area
662
Very large
&
-2.3%
6.0%
>>>>
69
High
  Lake County
4,030
Very large
&
11.8%
11.7%
>>>>
477
Very High
  McHenry County
1,278
Very large
&
-2.3%
7.6%
>>>>
126
High
  Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area
1,069
Very large
&
15.5%
4.4%
>>>>
134
Very High
  Northwest Illinois Area
1,420
Very large
&
5.8%
4.3%
>>>>
155
High
  Peoria-Bloomington Area
2,332
Very large
&
2.0%
4.5%
>>>>
243
High
  Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area
734
Very large
&
2.6%
3.5%
>>>>
77
High
  Rock Island-Moline Area
726
Very large
&
0.1%
5.6%
>>>>
75
High
  Rockford Area
2,855
Very large
&
0.0%
6.6%
>>>>
291
Very High
  Shawnee National Forest Area
160
Large
&
-2.5%
1.1%
>>>>
15
Few
  Springfield Area
440
Large
&
4.5%
4.6%
>>>>
45
Moderate
  St Louis-Belleville Area
670
Very large
&
3.7%
0.9%
>>>>
70
Moderate
  Vermilion County
274
Very large
&
0.0%
-0.5%
>>>>
27
Moderate
  Will County
1,627
Very large
&
2.4%
14.9%
>>>>
170
High
United States
732,000
Very large
&
-5.8%
4.0%
>>>>
66,700
High
Source: Illinois Career Information System (CIS) brought to you by Illinois Department of Employment Security.