What is a setter and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
introduction image

The job title "setter" can describe different work in several different industries, so it pays to read the job description carefully. A setter can work in an office and set appointments with clients. They often support sales teams by performing market research, calling prospective clients, and gauging their interest. Setters are often the first point of contact for many customers, so they need to have excellent customer service and communication skills to represent their company well.

On the other hand, a machine setter works in a factory and set up equipment that is used in a production line. They make sure that equipment is functioning properly during use and make any adjustments necessary.

No matter where they work, most setters do not have a bachelor's degree. An appointment setter working in an office may need some customer service experience, although this usually is an entry-level position. Machine setters need several years of experience working as mechanics or technicians because they need to know how to operate all of the machines in a factory. Setters earn an average salary of $29,120 yearly.

ScoreSetterUS Average
Salary
2.7

Avg. Salary $34,789

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
6.4

Growth Rate 4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
7.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.38%

Asian 1.41%

Black or African American 7.75%

Hispanic or Latino 26.79%

Unknown 4.10%

White 59.57%

Gender

female 34.32%

male 65.68%

Age - 40
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40
Stress Level
6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.1

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.2

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

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Setter career paths

Key steps to become a setter

  1. Explore setter education requirements

    Most common setter degrees

    High School Diploma

    40.8 %

    Bachelor's

    25.8 %

    Associate

    14.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific setter skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Safety Procedures26.11%
    Assembly Line25.29%
    Safety Regulations19.75%
    Gem7.97%
    Outbound Calls6.51%
  3. Complete relevant setter training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 2-4 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New setters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a setter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real setter resumes.
  4. Research setter duties and responsibilities

    • Experience with comparators, overlays and blueprints.
    • Help pour and finish concrete with concrete finishers.
    • Build, reinforce, and dismantle scaffolding to support job tasks
    • Used measuring instruments such as calipers, micrometers and fix gauges.
  5. Apply for setter jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a setter job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Setter Job

Zippi

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Average setter salary

The average Setter salary in the United States is $34,789 per year or $17 per hour. Setter salaries range between $25,000 and $47,000 per year.

Average Setter Salary
$34,789 Yearly
$16.73 hourly

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How do setters rate their job?

5/5

Based On 1 Ratings

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1 Star

Setter reviews

profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Pros

I like it because that’s what I learnt in school and can also do it better

Cons

Oh I do like anything about it because because that’s my career


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2019
Pros

I just started and did it with this guy for 2 months. I would like to learn more about it

Cons

I love it all


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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