Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
Median pay: $38,760/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -11.7% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 1,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Inspect products to ensure that the quality standards and specifications are met.
• Place patterns on top of layers of fabric and cut fabric following patterns, using electric or manual knives, cutters, or computer numerically controlled cutting devices.
• Start machines, monitor operations, and make adjustments as needed.
• Adjust machine controls, such as heating mechanisms, tensions, or speeds, to produce specified products.
• Record information about work completed and machine settings.
• Notify supervisors of mechanical malfunctions.
• Inspect machinery to determine whether repairs are needed.
• Confer with coworkers to obtain information about orders, processes, or problems.
What's the median pay for Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
The median pay for Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is $38,760 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
Employment for Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is projected to change -11.7% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
About 1,000 openings per year, on average, over the decade.