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 |