Metal and Plastic Processing Workers

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this occupation 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 occupation 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.

Many job openings will occur as current metal and plastic processing machine operators retire or switch to other occupations. 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	38,339 Very large	&	-5.8%	5.8%	>>>>	3,754 Very High
Champaign Area	617 Very large	&	2.1%	7.0%	>>>>	68 Very High
Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area	1,244 Very large	&	-0.8%	5.0%	>>>>	132 Very High
Cook County	12,355 Very large	&	-2.9%	5.6%	>>>>	1,267 Very High
Decatur Area	383 Very large	&	-1.8%	7.0%	>>>>	38 Very High
DeKalb-Elgin-Aurora Area	2,762 Very large	&	3.7%	9.7%	>>>>	312 Very High
Du Page County	4,035 Very large	&	-4.9%	5.4%	>>>>	398 Very High
Edwardsville Area	1,197 Very large	&	-42.7%	5.1%	>>>>	52 Very High
Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area	276 Very large	&	4.0%	7.0%	>>>>	28 Very High
Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area	472 Very large	&	-0.8%	5.2%	>>>>	52 Very High
Lake County	2,779 Very large	&	-0.1%	8.6%	>>>>	296 Very High
McHenry County	1,164 Very large	&	-1.7%	6.8%	>>>>	125 Very High
Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area	944 Very large	&	7.7%	6.8%	>>>>	114 Very High
Northwest Illinois Area	1,281 Very large	&	-3.4%	3.6%	>>>>	131 Very High
Peoria-Bloomington Area	1,809 Very large	&	-1.2%	7.3%	>>>>	192 Very High
Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area	615 Very large	&	-0.7%	4.3%	>>>>	65 Very High
Rock Island-Moline Area	670 Very large	&	-3.6%	5.7%	>>>>	69 Very High
Rockford Area	2,762 Very large	&	-5.5%	7.6%	>>>>	267 Very High
Shawnee National Forest Area	214 Very large	&	-3.3%	2.4%	>>>>	20 Very High
Springfield Area	400 Very large	&	-5.0%	4.7%	>>>>	41 High
St Louis-Belleville Area	610 Very large	&	-17.9%	6.4%	>>>>	48 Very High
Vermilion County	331 Very large	&	-2.7%	4.9%	>>>>	34 Very High
Will County	1,339 Very large	&	2.2%	9.1%	>>>>	147 Very High
United States	843,900 Very large	&	-7.8%	3.7%	>>>>	67,800 Very High